Thanks Seaver!

Thanks for all the reviews!

Acacia Jules: Better late then never…

keebler-elmo: Thanks! Yeah perhaps some low blows but it wouldn't be a real row otherwise.

Kirkalicious: Here comes!

coolone007: Don't worry I cheated : ) Don't be too excited… Remus and Nancy won't just run into each other's arms. Tonks won't date a student, Fleur being younger then her just thinks along other lines.

the munchkinator: Thanks!

Brolly_LSS: I will!

Devotion408: Well I am human… sorry that's a bit over used now… Vertex takes after Harry and Fleur who are humans (almost anyway).

Ankalagon: Yeah I figure both of them needed that, it will also tie into the plot at a later point. Sorry no Harry and Fleur anytime soon. Thanks!

ROG1039: Thanks… I like Vertex (not me) too. This chapter will focus on their relationship… no direct answers will be given though.

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Chapter 31 Love is it?

The following morning when Harry and Ron and the rest of the Gryffindor boys descended from their dormitory Hermione was not waiting for them in the common room. Which meant either that she had stayed up late last night or was too engrossed in a book to remember to wait for them and had gone down for breakfast without them. It was the later. They found Hermione sitting at her usual seat with a huge book in front of her, next to the book stood a bowl of porridge though it looked untouched and cold.

"You are awake," Hermione said happily when they sat down across the table.

"Morning to you too," Harry replied.

"Slept well?" Ron asked.

Hermione gave them her most bossy and superior look, "Harry I need to ask you a few questions."

"Sure," Harry said and Hermione started to flick the pages in the book until she came to page with a beautiful, slender woman, a veela.

"Hey this isn't about Fleur is it?" Harry asked, he didn't mind Hermione asking him questions about his girl friend but he didn't like the idea of answering questions about his relationship with a part veela.

"Well," Hermione said defensively, "Just a little."

"If you wonder about veela stuff I suggest you ask her!" Harry snapped.

"But that's the point Harry," Hermione said pleadingly, "I'm not trying to find out veela stuff."

"Fine," Harry said calming himself.

"Good first…" Hermione said and then looked around at the table, "Grab some toasts we're going for a walk."

"It's freezing outside," Ron complained.

Harry on the other hand didn't mind freezing a bit if it meant privacy, "I'll get our cloaks from the common room," he said.

A few minutes later, a door opened and the Gryffindor trio slipped out into the newly fallen snow. Hermione had slipped down into the kitchens and gotten them each a bottle of hot chocolate so that they could drink while they were walking she had also brought a couple of buttered toasts each.

"We're up early we'll have time for a walk around the lake," Hermione said and they set out for the lake.

"So what did you want to ask me?" Harry asked a couple of minutes later.

"Well you don't have to answer if you think it's too private," Hermione said carefully.

"Like he would otherwise," said Ron teasingly.

"Hang on you don't suspect she is a spy again do you?" Harry asked.

"No," Hermione said firmly, "I wanted to ask you if you have noticed anything strange about her?"

"Yes," Harry said irritably, "She's a part veela."

"We noticed that too, mate, at a couple of occasions."

"Apart from that I mean," Hermione clarified.

"Well, she actually loves me," Harry said feeling very stupid.

"That is not something that is sorted under strange," Hermione said angrily, "Perhaps rare but not strange."

"I can't think of anything else," Harry retorted "What's up with these questions anyway, do you know something?"

"I don't know anything that's why I ask," Hermione said softly, "If I knew I wouldn't have too."

"But you do suspect something," Harry stated.

"Yes," Hermione said and they walked in silence for several minutes before Hermione whent on, "Have you noticed anything about Fleur besides her veela charm?"

"No nothing besides her veela powers," Harry replied and drank the last of his hot chocolate with a wave of his wand the bottle vanished.

"Show off," Ron muttered teasingly and vanished his own bottle.

"What do you mean by veela powers?" Hermione asked.

"Well for starters her ability to make any male crawl for her then there is the bird thing and then she sometimes… I don't know… leaks her emotions," Harry said awkwardly.

"Leaks her emotions?" Hermione asked, "What do you mean leaks her emotions?"

"Yeah you know if she's very angry or sad or embarrassed you feel it," Harry explained.

"You can feel her emotions?" Ron asked.

"Yes," Harry replied starting to feel annoyed, "Like yesterday when she was proud over Vertex at the staff table… but you wouldn't feel that unless you really focus at her."

"What you are describing Harry," Hermione explained carefully, "Is not a veela power."

"Don't be stupid Hermione," Harry said, "What else would it be?"

"Veela powers are limited to charming and seducing males, turning into feather covered animals in shapes of huge birds and conjuring fire," Hermione said as if reciting a text book, "There is no such thing as leaking emotions."

"That's what my uncle said about magic," Harry scoffed through gritted teeth.

"You got a really horrible temper Harry, I'm just trying to help," Hermione said stubbornly.

"Then why don't you go help somebody with a problem!" Harry spat.

"Hey mate chill," Ron urged him. Harry took a deep breath and tried to calm himself.

"I'm sorry you don't have a problem, but are you not curious why she fainted that night and how she healed you in St Mungo's?" Hermione asked.

"Sure," Harry agreed.

"And there is the phoenix forging as well," Hermione added thoughtfully.

"Yeah but when it comes to Vertex, Nancy suspected that Dumbledore might have had something to do with that."

"Do you think that as well?" Hermione asked.

"No," Harry admitted, "He would have said so."

"Good," Hermione said, "So we agree that there is something strange with her?"

"No," Harry said at once, "Isn't it more likely that there is something strange with me after all that has happened?"

"Yes but it all started with Fleur," Ron pointed out.

"Maybe that's just something… a relationship brings out of me," Harry said hesitantly feeling very awkward.

"You've done it?" Ron asked breathlessly and Hermione gave Harry a look that made him blush.

"No," He exclaimed, "I told you before we are not that close on that front."

"But you've slept with her well… a lot," Ron said grinning widely.

"Yeah, but nothing more," Harry said defensively, "We barley kiss."

"What's your problem? You know me and Hermione kiss why can't you admit that you kiss Fleur?"

"Fine I've kissed her a couple of times and I've been with her naked a couple of times as well," Harry said his temper rising again.

"That was more then I needed to know," Hermione stated.

"Yeah," Ron agreed but he didn't look entirely convincing.

"I told you we barley kiss!" Harry practically shouted.

"All right," Hermione said, "If you say so I believe you, but don't you feel… you know, like kissing her?"

"No," Harry whispered flatly. This was the question he asked himself countless times every day, the question that hurt the most.

"Would you rather be with another girl?" Hermione asked very carefully.

"No," Harry whispered, "I really love Fleur."

"What about her? How does she feel about not kissing much?" Hermione asked softly.

"If she wanted the kissing part I would do that," Harry said truthfully.

"Is there anything you want to tell me?" Hermione asked in practically a whisper.

Harry remembered the time he had lied to Dumbledore in his second year he had decided later to never keep anything form Dumbledore again. Hermione was on the other hand not Dumbledore she was much more.

"I think I need medical attention," Harry whispered to his two best friends, "He damaged me somehow or the Dursleys did… probably both."

He felt very uncomfortable confiding in them, especially Ron since he was a boy but he had no choice. He had to tell someone, it hurt too much to keep in, especially since he had been naked with her.

Hermione hugged him solemnly, "Thanks for telling us."

"Yeah," Ron agreed seriously, "Mind telling us how bad it is?"

"Everything is fine," Harry said awkwardly, "It just doesn't happen around Fleur."

"What about Cho?" Hermione asked.

"Things were fine then," Harry said, "Perhaps it was something about the ministry thing or I just didn't love Cho enough."

"Do you plan on going to Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione asked, "We can go with you?"

"I don't think I dare," Harry admitted, "It's bloody awkward… what if there is something really big thing wrong."

"Like not being able to be a father?" Hermione asked as if reading his thoughts, "Seeing as every other organ was all right it would be a long shot. Besides most of these things can be fixed with magic or the muggle way as well these days."

Harry didn't respond he kept his eyes down on the snow as they slowly walked.

"Would it be better if we came with you?" Hermione asked softly, Harry didn't know what to reply. If he really was going to Madam Pomfrey he wanted someone along and Fleur was out of the question, he didn't want her to know just like that how badly it might be.

"Let's go now before you change your mind," Ron said firmly knowing this was something Harry had to do even if he didn't want to.

"But what about Transfiguration?" Harry asked, half-heartedly trying to find an excuse not to go.

"It started five minutes ago besides this is more important," Hermione said as they entered the school again.

"It's really nice of you but you really don't have too wait for me," Harry said when they approached the hospital wing.

"Don't be stupid, you need us." Hermione said, showed him inside the hospital wing and closed the door behind him.

"What have you done now Mr Potter?" Madam Pomfrey asked looking over from her desk.

"Nothing," Harry muttered feeling very nervous.

"Are you ill?" Madam Pomfrey asked after a quick ocular check on him.

"Is there someplace we can talk… privately?" Harry mumbled.

Seeing the solemn expression on his face Madam Pomfrey guided Harry past the beds in the hospital wing and into a room in the back with out a word. It had a comfortable looking sofa and several armchairs that all stood around a low table with some flowers in a vase on.

"Sit down Mr Potter" The Nurse commanded.

Harry didn't say anything but sat down in the sofa while Madam Pomfrey sat down in one of the chairs.

"Am I right in assuming this has something to do with Professor Delacour?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"Yes… how did you know?" Harry muttered.

"Normally it's the girl that comes here but it does happen the other way around as well," Madam Pomfrey explained though Harry was completely lost. His problem couldn't be that usual and if it was, did girls really come here to complain?

"How far has it gone are we talking about contraceptive potions or is it too late?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"No it's not like that," Harry said, desperately whishing that had been the case.

"You are keeping the baby? You are very young but I suppose she is a few years older."

"No there was NO sex!" Harry exclaimed and admitted after a moment, "That's the problem."

"Oh," Was all Madam Pomfrey managed.

"And Fleur is not pregnant," Harry added awkwardly when Madam Pomfrey obviously thought Fleur had been with somebody else.

"But you said Mr Potter that contraceptive potions were not it?" Madam Pomfrey asked now utterly confused.

"Well," Harry said and swallowed even though he didn't have any saliva in his mouth, "I don't think I am up to it, I think I am damaged."

"Lay down and I will have a look at you," Madam Pomfrey said standing up and pulling out her wand.

"Do you need me to take my pants off?" Harry asked or at least that is what he thought he asked he was too nervous to think properly.

"No, it's a simple charm," Madam Pomfrey said and waved her wand over his privates.

"You are physically healthy Mr Potter," She said a few minutes later, "It is not uncommon however there are some…"

"Thanks!" Harry interrupted, relieved that he was healthy.

"You are welcome, have you spoken to your partner…" Madam Pomfrey told Harry something his exhausted brain had no possibility to capture. Harry only vaguely managed to grasp that he should talk to Fleur about it and that it was perfectly natural in his age to have some difficulties one way or the other.

"How did it go?" Hermione asked breathlessly when he emerged from the hospital wing a few minutes later.

"I'm fine," Harry said smiling widely, "She said I'm healthy."

Hermione hugged him for the second time that morning and they headed off for the remaining transfiguration.

"I do expect a very good reason why you are almost an hour late?" McGonagall asked them when they entered the transfiguration classroom.

"I was in the hospital wing, Professor" Harry said.

"Very well Mr Potter but what about Mr Weasley and Miss Granger?" McGonagall asked.

"They waited for me Professor, it was a personal matter," Harry said and the Slytherins sniggered.

"Very well I will verify this with Madam Pomfrey and decide an appropriate punishment later," McGonagall said sternly.

Today's class was beginning with theory of human transfiguration and then they started to practise transfiguring objects with the weight of humans. It was very important when transfiguring humans that you managed a clean switching spell or things could be very painful for the person being transfigured. To their relief their head of house seemed to forget to punish them for being late or perhaps McGonagall thought the rumours that flew around the school enough.

Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson had been busy coming up with several different truths about what Harry's personal matters could be. The favourite or the one that offered most gossip was that Harry had made Hermione pregnant and thereby cheated on Ron but most of them involved Fleur somehow. Fleur didn't pay any attention to the rumours and didn't even ask Harry if there were any truth in them what so ever. Harry had never intended telling Fleur that he suspected that there was something wrong with him since that part of their relationship was strained enough.

Ginny and Selena was both fine even though Ginny had not spent anytime at all with anyone during the entire holyday. Accordingly to Selena Ginny had been horrible to both her and Tonks when they tried to cheer her up. The following day they had charms as it was Tuesday and Professor Flitwick was very pleased to have them all back after the holyday.

"Welcome back everyone I hope you all enjoyed your well deserved holyday," Flitwick said, "I would like to start this term with giving Gryffindor fifty points for a magnificent charm work by Miss Hermione Granger who has made this wonderful quill as a Christmas present to my dear college Professor Tonks."

Hermione blushed and did her absolute best not look too pleased as Flitwick picked up the quill case they had given Tonks from his desk. With a proud smile, Flitwick opened the quill case and placed the quill inside on a parchment.

"I here by congratulate Miss Hermione Granger on her newly earned fifty points to Gryffindor house," Flitwick said happily to the quill which wrote his words neatly on the parchment.

"Professor," Malfoy said lazily in his most annoying voice, "Anyone can make a Quick Quotes Quill if they got a Phoenix feather to work on."

"Very good Mr Malfoy, five points to Slytherin for knowing about the splendid magical abilities of a phoenix tail feather but I'm afraid I must disagree not many students even in this wonderful class would be able to create a Quick Quotes Quill."

"Scisseraso!" Flitwick suddenly cried and the quill was cut into pieces by hundreds of invisible scissors and fell to his desk.

Harry gasped he had expected Hermione to make the quill unbreakable. He and Ron glanced at Hermione to see how she had taken the sudden destruction of her handiwork. To Harry's surprise she was still trying not to look too pleased with herself. Then as Harry glanced back at what was left of the Phoenix quill he saw that it had started to fade, and a minute later, it was gone.

"Miss Granger has modified the tearing charm most often found in expensive books with great success and has managed to make this quill case restore the quill if it is destroyed or after a few hour has it not been returned. The only way of destroying the quill completely is to break the charm on this quill case which I am sure you have learned in Defence against the Dark Arts is not a simple thing to do. Especially as this case is made of metal and in addition has several strengthening charms placed on it."

The entire class was impressed, even the Slytherins though they would never admit it, when Flitwick opened the quill case again and the phoenix Quick Quotes Quill was there looking completely new.

"If anyone else of you has made any interesting enchantments please show me so I can award house points for your work," Flitwick announced and several Ravenclaws started whispering eagerly.

When the weekend finally arrived, Harry got the first moment alone with Fleur since before the start of term. They were both sitting on her bed or rather Harry was sitting on the bed and Fleur used him as a pillow. They were joking and teasing as usual, for once Vertex was not around and it made a nice change for once since they didn't have to watch their language and actions.

"Do you find me strange?" Harry asked abruptly.

"No," Fleur answered at once, "Why do you ask that?"

"Hermione figured something was strange about us," Harry told her.

"She did?" Fleur asked sadly, "I thought she didn't mind me being… what I am."

"She does not," Harry said firmly, "She wasn't talking about the veela part."

"What was she talking about then?" Fleur asked, she was very hurt by the fact that Hermione found her strange as so many others did, "And why did you ask me if I thought you were strange?"

"Why did you faint that night and how come you cured me?" Harry asked.

"Well if you have to know I had my period and I felt a little ill, it wasn't really that strange that I fainted," Fleur said uncertainly.

"Then how come you could cure me just by touching me?"

"I think it's because I love you," Fleur said softly, "Just like when you help me from my bird shape, Wingbeat."

Harry had never thought of love as an answer to their strange situations, but it made sense. After all, his mothers love had left him a very powerful protection even after she was dead so it wouldn't be too far fetched if Fleur's love could cure him from Spell shock.

"You know I love you so much that I can feel your emotions," Harry admitted.

"You do?" Fleur asked hopefully.

"Yeah I used to think you sometimes radiated them because you are part veela," Harry said dreamily.

"I can feel your emotions too, sometimes, but I thought I was just imagining because I feel so close to you," Fleur said smiling brightly.

"Guess we never thought it was mutual," Harry said and flashed her a smile.

"It was stupid," Fleur said smiling back, "It was how I knew you were crying back in Grimmauld Place that first day."

Harry caressed her hair comfortingly.

"I'm tired it's been a hard week," Fleur said after a moment of silence.

Harry leaned back in the bed with Fleur. They snug up with each other and fell asleep for several hours even though it was in the middle of the day. Harry didn't return to Gryffindor tower until late that evening. Only Ron and Hermione were still in the common room.

"We were not sure you would return," Ron said as Harry entered through the portrait hole.

"Guess you were lucky then," Harry teased.

"So how was Fleur?" Hermione asked politely.

"Just fine… we sorted out your mystery by the way."

"You did?" Hermione asked eagerly, "You asked her about it?"

"Yes," Harry said proudly, "She can feel my emotions too. We figured we… have strong enough feelings for each other."

"But that can't be it, Harry," Hermione said apologetically, "It doesn't work that way I love Ron very much but I can't sense his emotions."

"Yeah well we are different from you," Harry said stubbornly.

"Connections like yours and Fleur…" Hermione started.

"Hang on," Ron exclaimed, "This sounds just like your connection with him."

"It's nothing like the connection between me and Voldemort," Harry said angrily.

"They are connections aren't they?" Ron asked bluntly, "I mean you can sense you-know-who's emotions too."

"Connections like the one between you and Fleur or the one between you and Voldemort are most often created by failing magic," Hermione said forcefully to prevent Harry to snap at Ron.

"So," Harry said slowly trying to remain calm, "are you suggesting Fleur have tried to curse me? Besides I can only sense her feelings when she is close!"

"Oh no Harry it doesn't have to be a curse it can be any…" Hermione trailed off and her eyes went wide as is something just had occurred to her, "When the door burst open! In the begging of last term it must have been then!"

"We shared that connection from the first day we met at Grimmauld place," Harry said coolly.

"Oh," said Hermione disgruntled, she hated being proven wrong, "You didn't have any magical accident during the tournament did you?"

"No, and I still believe in the strong feeling theory and so does Fleur," Harry told them firmly, "I'm going to bed see you tomorrow."

The following morning Harry awoke early much earlier then he usual did. After a few moments of thinking, he remembered that he had taken a long nap with Fleur the previous day and had probably reduced his need for sleep by doing so. He was on the verge of trying to wake Ron but decided not, Ron would no doubt want to sleep for another hour at least like the rest of his room mates.

Instead, he dressed as quietly as he could and headed towards the great hall and an early breakfast. The common room was still empty and quiet except for the sound from someone walking down the stairs from the girls' dormitories. It was Ginny she had taken to the habit of eating early before everyone else.

Ron had asked her why once and she had snapped, "To don't have to answer to stupid questions!"

Ginny's hair was a mess and she was dead pale though what really made her look in bad shape was her expression.

"Hello Ginny," Harry said. Ginny startled and looked up, she had not noticed him before.

"Hi," Ginny said.

Harry now realised why she was so pale, she was tired. "You look tired," Harry pointed out.

"That is because I am tired," Ginny replied irritably.

"Come on let's go down and have breakfast," Harry said with more confidence then he felt. He was scared that Ginny would snap at him and perhaps even hex him.

"Right," Ginny said after a moment and headed towards the portrait.

Harry smiled behind her back it was the friendliest word he had gotten out of her for months.

"So how are your OWLs coming up?" Harry asked.

"Fine," Ginny replied shortly.

"That's great," Harry said, "So what's your best subject?"

"Depends, Defence against the dark arts or Arithmancy" Ginny replied.

"That's good you could become a curse breaker like Bill," Harry said happily.

"That's what I have in mind," Ginny said coolly.

"Are you going to Egypt then?" Harry asked as they entered the great hall.

"Perhaps," said Ginny, "If you are going to eat with me, you have too keep quiet. I am not in the mood for a conversation if you haven't noticed."

"Oh sorry," Harry apologized, "I'll keep quiet."

"Good," Ginny said and sat down. Harry sat down on the other side of the table in the great hall.

He was trying to eat his bacon as usual but couldn't quite focus on his food. He had missed Ginny, she had always been someone who had supported him and been kind even he was not always kind towards her but now something was wrong. He and nobody else for that matter had any idea of how to help her.

As he sat in his thoughts, he heard a sudden tune of Phoenix song and a moment later there was a bright flash and Vertex appeared high above them, like the post owl usually do.

"He's spent too much time with Pigwidgeon," Harry said smiling fondly, "He thinks he is a post owl."

Ginny giggled for the first time in what seemed like ages and Harry smiled at her. Her expression changed from happy to fearful and then she contorted her face in that unreadable way and focused on her food again.

"Why did you do that?" Harry burst out.

"What?" Ginny asked apparently trying to act as if nothing.

"You were happy and than you made that face and started eating again," Harry said.

"I told you I am not in the mood for a conversation," Ginny said coolly.

"Please answer my question," Harry begged.

"No! And if you say another word I'm…" Vertex had landed next to Ginny and before either of them had noticed anything Vertex had stretched his neck and kissed Ginny on her mouth.

"Damn it Vertex!" Ginny exclaimed huge tears suddenly rolled down her face and she ran from the great hall before Harry could stop her.

When Harry came to his senses he rushed after her but it was too late she was gone.

"Hey Harry," Ron said coming down the stairs from Gryffindor tower with Hermione and Selena.

Selena was much more relaxed around Harry now and didn't mind the slightest anymore if anyone found out they were friend. Hogwarts had done Selena good and she was as happy as Harry had been, and still was, to be a Gryffindor.

"Did you see Ginny?" Harry asked them urgently.

"No, did she snap at you again?" Ron asked and Selena shook her head.

"She broke down," Harry explained, "And before I could ask why she just ran."

Harry told them about every thing that had happened that morning but none of them could make any sense as usual about Ginny's behaviour.

"And the really odd thing is," Harry said, "Vertex has never kissed anyone except me and Fleur before, he's never even met Ginny and then Ginny says ´Damn it Vertex' like she knows him."

"She's hiding something," Hermione said seriously.

Selena nodded thoughtfully.

"I don't know… dad sometimes jokes with mum and tells us how difficult she was as a teenager¸ maybe it's a curse or something on girls in the family," Ron said only half serious.

"She was sad about something" said Harry and his friends nodded trying to figure out what possibly could be wrong with Ginny.

However, as Ginny had been very moody for a long time they could not find another reason other then that she had loads particularly violent hormones and that she probably had nightmares that kept her from sleeping as much as she needed. After all Harry realised if it's awful for him that Voldemort is back it must be worse for Ginny since she was being manipulated and controlled by him for almost a whole year. They didn't speak of Ginny's mood until later that day after classes in Hagrid's hut.

"Haven't seen her around much lately to tell you the truth," Hagrid said when they asked him about Ginny, "Skived off from class a few weeks ago as well, bit sad because she would've liked unicorns."

"You taught unicorns again?" Ron asked, it was obvious to Harry and Hermione that Ron found it hard to believe that Hagrid taught anything none lethal could he help it.

"I know what you mean Ron but most students seem to like unicorns," Hagrid said misinterpreting Ron's tune.

"They do?" Ron asked with a tiny tingle of sarcasm that Hagrid fortunately missed.

"So how is your brother?" Hermione asked Hagrid giving Ron a reproving glare.

"Grawp is fine he has made a clearing and build him self a cover, he's a good craftsman" Hagrid informed them proudly, "But I'm afraid I can't let you see him Dumbledore's orders."

"Why?" Harry asked.

"You are not to go outside the castle grounds without the order," Hagrid said sternly.

Harry sighed he should have guessed it; he had started to feel almost claustrophobic no matter what he did someone had something to say about it.

"And the centaurs?" Hermione asked and poured herself some more tea.

"They are coming around, thanks to Dumbledore of course," Hagrid said and a wide smile crossed his huge face.

"What did he do?" Ron asked eagerly.

"He pointed out to them that the planets did not say anything about them fighting him," Hagrid chuckled, "So they are completely friendly again hasn't said a word since. Great man Dumbledore."

"Did he speak to them recently?" Hermione asked conversationally.

"No back after Halloween apparently someone… but I'm not supposed to tell you that," Hagrid said and glanced over at them clearly expecting them to start and pry information from him. Instead, Ron and Hermione cast Harry a nervous glance and tried to act as if nothing, Hermione even took a cookie from a plate.

"Are you all right?" Hagrid asked seeming almost disappointed, "You are not up to something are you?"

Harry stared down on his tea, he felt awful talking about the nigh of Halloween. As if reading Harry's mind Vertex appeared in a flash and landed on his shoulder.

"Vertex," Harry said happily and his phoenix kissed him soundly on his mouth.

"Oh I got some herbs over here," Hagrid exclaimed happily and started to rummage around in some drawers, "Ah here it is, got them yesterday all the way from Egypt just for you Vertex."

Vertex whistled a thanks and tucked in on a green herb Hagrid offered him.

Hagrid watched Vertex eat fondly, "Fleur's all right?"

"Yeah great," Harry said, "Her birthday's coming up the 30th and I got to think of a good gift."

"You can give her a necklace it works great… ouch!" Ron said as Hermione hit him playfully on his arm. Hagrid and Harry chuckled.

"What about a good long book then?" Ron asked rubbing his arm.

"That's not what I meant," Hermione said irritably.

"I don't know I bought her that bracelet for Christmas. I don't think jewellery would be such a good idea," Harry said thoughtfully.

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Loads of plot progress in this chapter, opens up a couple of new doors doesn't it?

Please be nice in your reviews… well extra nice… I expect some of you might have an urge to flame me after next chapter.