"Harry Potter Returns to Hogwarts"
By Alejandria
*
Chapter Five: Old Friends and Enemies
*
Harry woke at the crack of dawn the next morning. He looked around and tried to remember where he was. Hogwarts. He was at Hogwarts. He squeezed his eyes shut and laid there for a moment.
Slowly he got up and stretched. "Ahhh." He yawned.
The portrait swung open and Professor Dumbledore walked in. "Ah, I thought you'd be awake." He said when he saw Harry. "I thought, perhaps, you would like to get cleaned up."
Harry looked at him and said "Yes, I would like to get cleaned up."
"Well, follow me then." Dumbledore said as he turned to the exit.
"Hold on." Harry said as he bent over Angelica. "Angelica." He whispered as he shook her gently.
"Huh?" She groaned and rolled over.
"Angelica!" Harry said a little more loudly.
"What?" She said as she sat up.
"I'm going to go get cleaned up."
She looked at him and said "What time is it?"
"Oh, about seven in the morning." Harry replied. She groaned and flopped back down. From under the pillow she said, "Okay. I'm going back to bed."
Harry grinned and followed Dumbledore out of the common room.
They didn't talk as they walked down the hallways slowly.
The stopped in front of a painting of orange trees. Dumbledore said "Naranja." The portrait swung open to reveal a huge bathroom.
"You can come in here anytime you want to." Dumbledore said.
"Thanks Professor." Harry said.
"No problem." Dumbledore said. He turned to leave and said "Be at the Great Hall in an hour. That's when you'll find out whose coming." Then he was gone.
Harry sighed. He went to a pool-like tub, turned on the different faucets, peeled off his clothes and got in.
"Oooh! It's Harry Potter!" a girlish voice said from behind him.
Harry jumped when he heard it and spluttered "Moaning Myrtle?"
The ghost laughed and spun around. "Don't worry I didn't look when you climbed in. Anyway, I haven't seen you in a while…Harry Potter." She said shyly.
"Um…Myrtle?" Harry said.
"Yes Harry?"
"Would you mind not looking so I can get out of this oversized tub?"
"Oh…Sure." If ghosts could blush Myrtles cheeks would be crimson.
Harry got out of the tub, dried off, and put his clothes back on.
"Okay. I'm done."
Myrtle turned around and smiled. "Why Harry. You sure a much more handsome than I remember." Myrtle said.
"Uh…Thanks." Harry said. "Listen Myrtle, I have to go. I'm expected at the Great Hall." He said as he looked at his watch. He grabbed his things and ran out of the bathroom.
"Well. Still nobody likes Moaning Myrtle." Myrtle moaned. Then she zoomed down a drain and began to cry.
Meanwhile Harry had just reached the Great Hall to see Professor McGonagall standing outside of the Great Hall doors.
"Ah Harry. Professor Dumbledore wishes for you to wait out here so he can get everyone settled." McGonagall said.
"Uh, Okay." Harry replied.
Harry stood by the doors so he could hear what was being said easily.
"So Dumbledore. Why don't you tell us why you dragged us out here this early." A man's voice said.
"Ah, that." Dumbledore said. "Well Ladies and Gentlemen you wouldn't believe me if I told you. So I'm going to let our guest introduce himself. Would our special guest please enter."
McGonagall opened the doors and motioned Harry inside. She shut the doors behind her as she stepped in after Harry.
Harry kept his head bent down as he waked in. he stopped as he heard a chair being pushed back suddenly.
"It can't be." Another man's voice said. Harry looked up to see Lupin staring at him. As he did so his bangs separated revealing his scar.
Everyone sat there startled. All except Arthur and Molly Weasley along with Bill, Charlie, Percy and Ginny. Draco Malfoy, Mad-eye Moody, and Lupin were very startled.
Then the Great Hall irrupted into a torrent of noise. He heard many voices as everyone crowded around him.
"Oh Harry!" "Good to see ye lad." "Well, well. Look who's here." "Bloody Hell!"
Harry closed his eyes tight. 'Too crowded' he said to himself. Suddenly he jumped clear over everyone and landed behind them.
Everyone slowly towards him and Draco said "Bloody Hell. How'd you do that?"
Harry grinned and said "After I left I took Karate and Gymnastics."
"What are Gymienastics and Karatee?" Arthur asked.
Harry smiled and said "Karate is where you learn how to protect yourself with your hands, and Gymnastics is where you learn to be more agile."
"Agile?"
"You know. Flexible. You can move faster." Harry said slowly.
Everyone just stare at him as if he was the craziest person in the room, and he didn't blame them.
"Here I'll show you." Harry said. He then began doing a series of cartwheels, round offs, and flips all around the Great Hall. He stopped in front of everyone.
"See that's what the muggles call gymnastics." Harry said. "Now to show you Karate." Harry looked around and said "Draco. I want you to come at me like you want to hurt me real bad."
Draco pulled out his wand and advanced on Harry.
"No. With no wands. Just your own two hands."
Draco shrugged, put down his wand, and came at Harry. Harry grabbed his hand, twisted his arm, and flipped Draco over his shoulder.
"Ow!" Draco yelped.
"Wow! That was cool!" Bill and Charlie said together when Draco hit the floor.
Draco propped himself up on his elbows and said "I need to learn that."
"So Harry. What brings you back to Hogwarts?" Lupin asked.
"Yeah. Where have you been lad?" Mad-eye Moody asked.
"Well I've been living in the muggle world for the past twelve years. And I'm back here because my son and daughter have been accepted here." Harry said.
"Ah Minerva? Would you please go get Chloe, William, Ron, Hermione, Matt and Tom?" Dumbledore asked. "I believe that Chloe, Ron, Will, Hermione and Tom are in Charms. And Matt is in Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Yes Albus." McGonagall said as she walked out of the Great Hall.
Right after she left another woman entered the Great Hall looking startled.
"Oh. I didn't realize there were other people here. I'm looking for Harry." The woman said nervously.
"I'm over here Angelica." Harry said as he motioned to her.
She walked over to him staring at Mad-eye Moody nervously as his eye followed her.
"This is my wife Angelica." Harry said to everyone.
"Angelica these people are, Remus Lupin, Alistor Mad-eye Moody, Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Charlie Weasley and Ginny Weasley." He said as he pointed to each of them.
"Ah, nice to meet all of you." She said slowly.
"Ahem." A voice said.
"Oh. This is Draco Malfoy." Harry said. "All of these people I met when I was in school."
Everyone just stared at Angelica. Ginny looked like she had a little hate in her eyes.
Then the doors opened and McGonagall stepped in followed by Chloe, Ron, Will, Hermione, Matt and Tom.
"Dad." All of them said when the saw their fathers.
"What's everyone doing here?" Ron asked Charlie.
"Well we were invited here to meet an old friend. This is Harry Potter." Charlie said as he pointed to Harry.
"Oh, we already met." Hermione said.
"When?" all of the adults asked.
"Oh the day after school started. Professor Dumbledore introduced him to everyone at dinner." Matt said.
Everyone turned to Dumbledore when Matt said this.
"Hey they were bound to wonder who he was, and to avoid awkward questions I just introduced him to everyone." Dumbledore said.
"When you found out where he was you should have alerted me. I am, after all, the Minister of Magic." Draco said.
"Oh shut up Malfoy. You've turned into such a nag." Harry said as he rubbed his head.
The kids turned to Harry, astonished that he had talked to Draco like that.
"I am the Minister of Magic. Nobody talks to me like that." Draco said angrily.
"Ah come on Draco! Since when have we cared what we said to each other?" Harry exclaimed.
Draco looked at him thoughtfully. "You're right." He said. "I didn't care a long time ago, and I don't care now."
Everyone sighed in relief. They hadn't realized they were holding their breath.
"Well I would love to stay, but being the Minister of Magic has certain…Obligations." Draco said.
"See ya." Tom said to his father. Draco turned to him and nodded and left.
"Well I guess we should go too. We have things to take care of." Bill said. He, Percy and Charlie turned to leave.
"Bye dad." Hermione, Ron and Matt said together.
"Bye kids." They all said then left the Great Hall.
"Well there's no use in us staying." Molly said. "Come Arthur, Ginny." She said as she turned to leave.
"Coming dear." Arthur said.
"Yes mum." Ginny said as she stared at Harry.
"Ginny! Let's go!" Ginny turned and looked at Molly.
"Actually Mum. It it's okay with Professor Dumbledore I would like to stay here tonight." Then Ginny turned to Professor Dumbledore.
Dumbledore smiled and said, "It's always okay for you to stay here Ginny."
Ginny smiled and Molly's mouth was a thin line.
"Come on Arthur, we're leaving." Molly and Arthur turned and left.
"You know, I think we should leave too." Lupin said as he tugged on Mad-Eye's cloak sleeve. "Yeah, we have things to do also." Mad-Eye said.
"All of you can go ahead and sit at your tables. It's about time for lunch." Professor Dumbledore said.
As they walked to their tables, Tom walked up and said "Chloe, can I speak with you for a minute?"
Chloe looked at Harry. He nodded his head.
"Sure." She turned and followed him out of the Great Hall into the hallway.
"What is it Tom?" Chloe asked as she turned to him.
He looked at her and shuffled his feet. "Well…I just wanted to tell you…that…Um."
"Come on Tom. Spit it out." Chloe said impatiently as people began to enter the Great Hall.
"It's not easy for me to say this, but I like you Chlo. Not as a friend, but as something more than a friend." Tom said quickly.
She looked at him and began to laugh loudly.
"Why are you laughing?" Tom asked, hurt written all over his face.
"Oh Tom." Chloe said as she hugged him.
Slowly he put his arms around her.
"I like you more than a friend too." She pulled away from him. "Um you do know our dad's might not be happy about this." She said.
"I know." Tom replied. "But I don't care."
"Listen. I'll talk to my dad and you talk to yours." Chloe said.
"Okay. I'll send an owl to my dad right after we eat." Tom said.
"And I'll talk to mine tonight after dinner." Chloe replied.
"I think we'd better go in." Tom said.
"Yeah."
As she sat down by Hermione and Ginny Weasley Hermione asked, "What was that all about?" Chloe turned to her and said "I'll tell you later." "Whatever." Hermione sighed and turned back to her food.
Chloe sat there the rest of the time trying to think of a way to tell Harry about here and Tom.
As she was walking out of the Great Hall someone pulled her to the side.
"Ah!" "Sssh!" She turned to see Tom standing next to her looking around.
"I'll wait for you by the statue of the one-eyed witch. Come by there and tell me what your dad says." He said.
"Okay. See you later." Chloe said as he walked away.
*
When she entered the common room Ron, Hermione, Matt, Will and her mother and father were sitting around talking.
"Um, dad?" Chloe said slowly.
"Yes?" He asked as he turned towards her.
"Can I speak with you? Alone? Outside?" she said.
"Sure." Harry said slowly as he followed her out of the common room.
"So, what did you want to talk about Chlo?" Harry asked.
"Okay dad. I'm about to tell you something very important and I don't want you to get mad." Chloe said.
"Why would I get mad? I am a very calm person." Harry said suspiciously.
"Well…Tom and I…Well we kind of…Um." Chloe stuttered.
"Come on Chlo, what about you and Tom?" Harry asked.
"We like each other. More than just friends." Chloe said. "As in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship."
Harry just stared at her. Then his face broke into a smile. "SWEET!"
Chloe looked at him perplexed and said "Excuse me?"
"This will make Draco really mad!" Harry added. "Go on. You're probably going to meet him to tell him what I said. Don't worry, if you wanted my permission you have it." Harry said.
"Thanks dad." She turned and walked down the hall. She still heard Harry laughing. She ran back to him and said, "Please don't tell anyone. I want to tell them myself."
"Okay Chlo. I promise I won't tell anyone." Harry said.
"Thanks dad." Chloe said. He nodded and went back into the common room.
She ran the whole way to the statue of the one-eyed witch. She got there at the same time as Tom.
"So?" they asked together. "You first." Chloe said.
"Well I sent an owl. I won't know till tomorrow." He said. "What did your dad say?" Tom added.
Chloe looked at him slyly and said, "Oh I don't know if I want to tell you just yer. Maybe I should just wait for your dad's answer."
"Ah come on Chlo. Don't do that to me." Tom pleaded.
"All right. My dad didn't seem to mind. In fact he was kind of happy. He said your dad might get mad." Chloe said.
"So your dad's okay with us being together?" Tom asked slowly.
Chloe sighed and said, "Yes, he's okay with us."
"Hurray!" Tom yelled and hugged Chloe tightly.
Chloe began laughing, "Tom, Tom et go! I can't breathe!"
Abruptly he let go of her. He grinned and said, "Sorry. I just got excited."
"Tom can I ask you something?"
"Sure Chloe. Anything."
"Why do you hate the Weasleys and Hagrid so much?" she asked slowly.
"I don't know why exactly. It's my dad. He's always had so much hatred for them." Tom replied.
"Well if we're going to go out, you need to start learning to like them. I won't let you jeopardize my friendship with them." Chloe said.
Tom's grin slowly faded away. His face became a blank slate. They stood there for a minute then Tom gave her a small smile and said, "I'll try Chlo. I'll keep on trying until I succeed."
Chloe smiled, hugged him and said "Thank you Tom."
Tom grinned and hugged her back tightly.
"Listen Tom, I'd better be getting back now. Everyone's probably waiting for me."
"Okay Chlo. See you later."
Chloe turned to walk away when Tom called to her and said, "Chloe!"
She turned to him and said, "Yes Tom?"
"Even if my dad doesn't approve, I still want to go out with you."
She grinned broadly and said, "If your dad doesn't approve, I still want to go out with you." With that she turned around and ran all the way to the common room where Ron, Hermione and Will were waiting.
As she burst in Hermione turned around and said, "Well look who's back. We were wondering where you went to."
"What did you talk to dad about Chloe? He seemed really excited but he wouldn't tell anyone what you to talked about. Not even Mom." Will said.
Chloe grinned and sat down with a thump. "Promise you won't tell anyone till I have a chance to talk to some people?"
"Yes." All three of them said together.
"Well…Tom." Chloe started then stopped mysteriously.
"Tom what!?" Everyone exclaimed.
"Tom asked me to go out with him, and I said yes." Chloe said in a rush.
Everyone sat there quietly for a minute then Will burst out, "WHAT?" he said angrily. "Do you realize what this means? This means if he gets closer to you, he gets closer to us, and the more he can taunt us."
Chloe's face turned red and she jumped up and yelled, "DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT WILLIAM ORAC EVANS! I DID NOTHING WRONG! AND FOR YOUR INFO I MADE HIM PROMISE TO BE NICER TO EVERYONE OR I WOULDN'T GO OUT WITH HIM! IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT YOU CAN GO TO HELL!" She then ran up the stairs to her dorm room.
When she reached her room she laid down on her bed and began to cry.
"Chloe!? Chlo!?" A voice said from behind her.
She propped herself on her elbows and turned her head, tears streaming down her face, to see Hermione standing in the doorway.
"What do you want? Did you come up here to criticize me some more since Will and Ron can't?" Chloe sobbed.
Hermione sat on the edge of Chloe's bed and put her hand on her back. "No, I came up here to see if you were all right."
"I'm fine, I guess." Chloe said as she wiped her face. "What do you think about me and Tom?" She asked.
"Personally I don't care. It's not my place to tell you can and can't date. As long as you happy, I don't care." Hermione said.
Chloe grinned and said, "Thanks Hermione. You're the best friend a girl could have." Then she hugged her.
"Now what do you say, let's go talk to Will and Ron." Hermione said.
Chloe's grin faded and she said, "No, I don't want to talk to my brother right now. If I do I might hit him. It took all my strength not to hit him earlier."
"Okay Chloe."
"You know I think I'll just go to bed now. I'm kinda tired." Chloe said.
"Okay, see you tomorrow." Hermione said as she waked out of the room.
Hermione waked down the stairs, into the common room to see Ron and Will still sitting there.
Will had a blank look on his face, mouth agape. Ron was trying, unsuccessfully, to get his attention. Will turned to Hermione and said quietly, "I can't believe she talked to me like that. She's never talked to me like that before."
"Well I have a feeling it's what you said about Tom." Hermione said.
"I didn't mean it. I just got caught up in the heat of the moment." Will said.
"I think we should go to bed." Ron said. Then turning to Will he said, "Come on mate, let's go."
"Yeah, I'm coming." Will said slowly, and followed Ron upstairs.
By Alejandria
*
Chapter Five: Old Friends and Enemies
*
Harry woke at the crack of dawn the next morning. He looked around and tried to remember where he was. Hogwarts. He was at Hogwarts. He squeezed his eyes shut and laid there for a moment.
Slowly he got up and stretched. "Ahhh." He yawned.
The portrait swung open and Professor Dumbledore walked in. "Ah, I thought you'd be awake." He said when he saw Harry. "I thought, perhaps, you would like to get cleaned up."
Harry looked at him and said "Yes, I would like to get cleaned up."
"Well, follow me then." Dumbledore said as he turned to the exit.
"Hold on." Harry said as he bent over Angelica. "Angelica." He whispered as he shook her gently.
"Huh?" She groaned and rolled over.
"Angelica!" Harry said a little more loudly.
"What?" She said as she sat up.
"I'm going to go get cleaned up."
She looked at him and said "What time is it?"
"Oh, about seven in the morning." Harry replied. She groaned and flopped back down. From under the pillow she said, "Okay. I'm going back to bed."
Harry grinned and followed Dumbledore out of the common room.
They didn't talk as they walked down the hallways slowly.
The stopped in front of a painting of orange trees. Dumbledore said "Naranja." The portrait swung open to reveal a huge bathroom.
"You can come in here anytime you want to." Dumbledore said.
"Thanks Professor." Harry said.
"No problem." Dumbledore said. He turned to leave and said "Be at the Great Hall in an hour. That's when you'll find out whose coming." Then he was gone.
Harry sighed. He went to a pool-like tub, turned on the different faucets, peeled off his clothes and got in.
"Oooh! It's Harry Potter!" a girlish voice said from behind him.
Harry jumped when he heard it and spluttered "Moaning Myrtle?"
The ghost laughed and spun around. "Don't worry I didn't look when you climbed in. Anyway, I haven't seen you in a while…Harry Potter." She said shyly.
"Um…Myrtle?" Harry said.
"Yes Harry?"
"Would you mind not looking so I can get out of this oversized tub?"
"Oh…Sure." If ghosts could blush Myrtles cheeks would be crimson.
Harry got out of the tub, dried off, and put his clothes back on.
"Okay. I'm done."
Myrtle turned around and smiled. "Why Harry. You sure a much more handsome than I remember." Myrtle said.
"Uh…Thanks." Harry said. "Listen Myrtle, I have to go. I'm expected at the Great Hall." He said as he looked at his watch. He grabbed his things and ran out of the bathroom.
"Well. Still nobody likes Moaning Myrtle." Myrtle moaned. Then she zoomed down a drain and began to cry.
Meanwhile Harry had just reached the Great Hall to see Professor McGonagall standing outside of the Great Hall doors.
"Ah Harry. Professor Dumbledore wishes for you to wait out here so he can get everyone settled." McGonagall said.
"Uh, Okay." Harry replied.
Harry stood by the doors so he could hear what was being said easily.
"So Dumbledore. Why don't you tell us why you dragged us out here this early." A man's voice said.
"Ah, that." Dumbledore said. "Well Ladies and Gentlemen you wouldn't believe me if I told you. So I'm going to let our guest introduce himself. Would our special guest please enter."
McGonagall opened the doors and motioned Harry inside. She shut the doors behind her as she stepped in after Harry.
Harry kept his head bent down as he waked in. he stopped as he heard a chair being pushed back suddenly.
"It can't be." Another man's voice said. Harry looked up to see Lupin staring at him. As he did so his bangs separated revealing his scar.
Everyone sat there startled. All except Arthur and Molly Weasley along with Bill, Charlie, Percy and Ginny. Draco Malfoy, Mad-eye Moody, and Lupin were very startled.
Then the Great Hall irrupted into a torrent of noise. He heard many voices as everyone crowded around him.
"Oh Harry!" "Good to see ye lad." "Well, well. Look who's here." "Bloody Hell!"
Harry closed his eyes tight. 'Too crowded' he said to himself. Suddenly he jumped clear over everyone and landed behind them.
Everyone slowly towards him and Draco said "Bloody Hell. How'd you do that?"
Harry grinned and said "After I left I took Karate and Gymnastics."
"What are Gymienastics and Karatee?" Arthur asked.
Harry smiled and said "Karate is where you learn how to protect yourself with your hands, and Gymnastics is where you learn to be more agile."
"Agile?"
"You know. Flexible. You can move faster." Harry said slowly.
Everyone just stare at him as if he was the craziest person in the room, and he didn't blame them.
"Here I'll show you." Harry said. He then began doing a series of cartwheels, round offs, and flips all around the Great Hall. He stopped in front of everyone.
"See that's what the muggles call gymnastics." Harry said. "Now to show you Karate." Harry looked around and said "Draco. I want you to come at me like you want to hurt me real bad."
Draco pulled out his wand and advanced on Harry.
"No. With no wands. Just your own two hands."
Draco shrugged, put down his wand, and came at Harry. Harry grabbed his hand, twisted his arm, and flipped Draco over his shoulder.
"Ow!" Draco yelped.
"Wow! That was cool!" Bill and Charlie said together when Draco hit the floor.
Draco propped himself up on his elbows and said "I need to learn that."
"So Harry. What brings you back to Hogwarts?" Lupin asked.
"Yeah. Where have you been lad?" Mad-eye Moody asked.
"Well I've been living in the muggle world for the past twelve years. And I'm back here because my son and daughter have been accepted here." Harry said.
"Ah Minerva? Would you please go get Chloe, William, Ron, Hermione, Matt and Tom?" Dumbledore asked. "I believe that Chloe, Ron, Will, Hermione and Tom are in Charms. And Matt is in Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Yes Albus." McGonagall said as she walked out of the Great Hall.
Right after she left another woman entered the Great Hall looking startled.
"Oh. I didn't realize there were other people here. I'm looking for Harry." The woman said nervously.
"I'm over here Angelica." Harry said as he motioned to her.
She walked over to him staring at Mad-eye Moody nervously as his eye followed her.
"This is my wife Angelica." Harry said to everyone.
"Angelica these people are, Remus Lupin, Alistor Mad-eye Moody, Arthur Weasley, Molly Weasley, Percy Weasley, Bill Weasley, Charlie Weasley and Ginny Weasley." He said as he pointed to each of them.
"Ah, nice to meet all of you." She said slowly.
"Ahem." A voice said.
"Oh. This is Draco Malfoy." Harry said. "All of these people I met when I was in school."
Everyone just stared at Angelica. Ginny looked like she had a little hate in her eyes.
Then the doors opened and McGonagall stepped in followed by Chloe, Ron, Will, Hermione, Matt and Tom.
"Dad." All of them said when the saw their fathers.
"What's everyone doing here?" Ron asked Charlie.
"Well we were invited here to meet an old friend. This is Harry Potter." Charlie said as he pointed to Harry.
"Oh, we already met." Hermione said.
"When?" all of the adults asked.
"Oh the day after school started. Professor Dumbledore introduced him to everyone at dinner." Matt said.
Everyone turned to Dumbledore when Matt said this.
"Hey they were bound to wonder who he was, and to avoid awkward questions I just introduced him to everyone." Dumbledore said.
"When you found out where he was you should have alerted me. I am, after all, the Minister of Magic." Draco said.
"Oh shut up Malfoy. You've turned into such a nag." Harry said as he rubbed his head.
The kids turned to Harry, astonished that he had talked to Draco like that.
"I am the Minister of Magic. Nobody talks to me like that." Draco said angrily.
"Ah come on Draco! Since when have we cared what we said to each other?" Harry exclaimed.
Draco looked at him thoughtfully. "You're right." He said. "I didn't care a long time ago, and I don't care now."
Everyone sighed in relief. They hadn't realized they were holding their breath.
"Well I would love to stay, but being the Minister of Magic has certain…Obligations." Draco said.
"See ya." Tom said to his father. Draco turned to him and nodded and left.
"Well I guess we should go too. We have things to take care of." Bill said. He, Percy and Charlie turned to leave.
"Bye dad." Hermione, Ron and Matt said together.
"Bye kids." They all said then left the Great Hall.
"Well there's no use in us staying." Molly said. "Come Arthur, Ginny." She said as she turned to leave.
"Coming dear." Arthur said.
"Yes mum." Ginny said as she stared at Harry.
"Ginny! Let's go!" Ginny turned and looked at Molly.
"Actually Mum. It it's okay with Professor Dumbledore I would like to stay here tonight." Then Ginny turned to Professor Dumbledore.
Dumbledore smiled and said, "It's always okay for you to stay here Ginny."
Ginny smiled and Molly's mouth was a thin line.
"Come on Arthur, we're leaving." Molly and Arthur turned and left.
"You know, I think we should leave too." Lupin said as he tugged on Mad-Eye's cloak sleeve. "Yeah, we have things to do also." Mad-Eye said.
"All of you can go ahead and sit at your tables. It's about time for lunch." Professor Dumbledore said.
As they walked to their tables, Tom walked up and said "Chloe, can I speak with you for a minute?"
Chloe looked at Harry. He nodded his head.
"Sure." She turned and followed him out of the Great Hall into the hallway.
"What is it Tom?" Chloe asked as she turned to him.
He looked at her and shuffled his feet. "Well…I just wanted to tell you…that…Um."
"Come on Tom. Spit it out." Chloe said impatiently as people began to enter the Great Hall.
"It's not easy for me to say this, but I like you Chlo. Not as a friend, but as something more than a friend." Tom said quickly.
She looked at him and began to laugh loudly.
"Why are you laughing?" Tom asked, hurt written all over his face.
"Oh Tom." Chloe said as she hugged him.
Slowly he put his arms around her.
"I like you more than a friend too." She pulled away from him. "Um you do know our dad's might not be happy about this." She said.
"I know." Tom replied. "But I don't care."
"Listen. I'll talk to my dad and you talk to yours." Chloe said.
"Okay. I'll send an owl to my dad right after we eat." Tom said.
"And I'll talk to mine tonight after dinner." Chloe replied.
"I think we'd better go in." Tom said.
"Yeah."
As she sat down by Hermione and Ginny Weasley Hermione asked, "What was that all about?" Chloe turned to her and said "I'll tell you later." "Whatever." Hermione sighed and turned back to her food.
Chloe sat there the rest of the time trying to think of a way to tell Harry about here and Tom.
As she was walking out of the Great Hall someone pulled her to the side.
"Ah!" "Sssh!" She turned to see Tom standing next to her looking around.
"I'll wait for you by the statue of the one-eyed witch. Come by there and tell me what your dad says." He said.
"Okay. See you later." Chloe said as he walked away.
*
When she entered the common room Ron, Hermione, Matt, Will and her mother and father were sitting around talking.
"Um, dad?" Chloe said slowly.
"Yes?" He asked as he turned towards her.
"Can I speak with you? Alone? Outside?" she said.
"Sure." Harry said slowly as he followed her out of the common room.
"So, what did you want to talk about Chlo?" Harry asked.
"Okay dad. I'm about to tell you something very important and I don't want you to get mad." Chloe said.
"Why would I get mad? I am a very calm person." Harry said suspiciously.
"Well…Tom and I…Well we kind of…Um." Chloe stuttered.
"Come on Chlo, what about you and Tom?" Harry asked.
"We like each other. More than just friends." Chloe said. "As in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship."
Harry just stared at her. Then his face broke into a smile. "SWEET!"
Chloe looked at him perplexed and said "Excuse me?"
"This will make Draco really mad!" Harry added. "Go on. You're probably going to meet him to tell him what I said. Don't worry, if you wanted my permission you have it." Harry said.
"Thanks dad." She turned and walked down the hall. She still heard Harry laughing. She ran back to him and said, "Please don't tell anyone. I want to tell them myself."
"Okay Chlo. I promise I won't tell anyone." Harry said.
"Thanks dad." Chloe said. He nodded and went back into the common room.
She ran the whole way to the statue of the one-eyed witch. She got there at the same time as Tom.
"So?" they asked together. "You first." Chloe said.
"Well I sent an owl. I won't know till tomorrow." He said. "What did your dad say?" Tom added.
Chloe looked at him slyly and said, "Oh I don't know if I want to tell you just yer. Maybe I should just wait for your dad's answer."
"Ah come on Chlo. Don't do that to me." Tom pleaded.
"All right. My dad didn't seem to mind. In fact he was kind of happy. He said your dad might get mad." Chloe said.
"So your dad's okay with us being together?" Tom asked slowly.
Chloe sighed and said, "Yes, he's okay with us."
"Hurray!" Tom yelled and hugged Chloe tightly.
Chloe began laughing, "Tom, Tom et go! I can't breathe!"
Abruptly he let go of her. He grinned and said, "Sorry. I just got excited."
"Tom can I ask you something?"
"Sure Chloe. Anything."
"Why do you hate the Weasleys and Hagrid so much?" she asked slowly.
"I don't know why exactly. It's my dad. He's always had so much hatred for them." Tom replied.
"Well if we're going to go out, you need to start learning to like them. I won't let you jeopardize my friendship with them." Chloe said.
Tom's grin slowly faded away. His face became a blank slate. They stood there for a minute then Tom gave her a small smile and said, "I'll try Chlo. I'll keep on trying until I succeed."
Chloe smiled, hugged him and said "Thank you Tom."
Tom grinned and hugged her back tightly.
"Listen Tom, I'd better be getting back now. Everyone's probably waiting for me."
"Okay Chlo. See you later."
Chloe turned to walk away when Tom called to her and said, "Chloe!"
She turned to him and said, "Yes Tom?"
"Even if my dad doesn't approve, I still want to go out with you."
She grinned broadly and said, "If your dad doesn't approve, I still want to go out with you." With that she turned around and ran all the way to the common room where Ron, Hermione and Will were waiting.
As she burst in Hermione turned around and said, "Well look who's back. We were wondering where you went to."
"What did you talk to dad about Chloe? He seemed really excited but he wouldn't tell anyone what you to talked about. Not even Mom." Will said.
Chloe grinned and sat down with a thump. "Promise you won't tell anyone till I have a chance to talk to some people?"
"Yes." All three of them said together.
"Well…Tom." Chloe started then stopped mysteriously.
"Tom what!?" Everyone exclaimed.
"Tom asked me to go out with him, and I said yes." Chloe said in a rush.
Everyone sat there quietly for a minute then Will burst out, "WHAT?" he said angrily. "Do you realize what this means? This means if he gets closer to you, he gets closer to us, and the more he can taunt us."
Chloe's face turned red and she jumped up and yelled, "DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT WILLIAM ORAC EVANS! I DID NOTHING WRONG! AND FOR YOUR INFO I MADE HIM PROMISE TO BE NICER TO EVERYONE OR I WOULDN'T GO OUT WITH HIM! IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT YOU CAN GO TO HELL!" She then ran up the stairs to her dorm room.
When she reached her room she laid down on her bed and began to cry.
"Chloe!? Chlo!?" A voice said from behind her.
She propped herself on her elbows and turned her head, tears streaming down her face, to see Hermione standing in the doorway.
"What do you want? Did you come up here to criticize me some more since Will and Ron can't?" Chloe sobbed.
Hermione sat on the edge of Chloe's bed and put her hand on her back. "No, I came up here to see if you were all right."
"I'm fine, I guess." Chloe said as she wiped her face. "What do you think about me and Tom?" She asked.
"Personally I don't care. It's not my place to tell you can and can't date. As long as you happy, I don't care." Hermione said.
Chloe grinned and said, "Thanks Hermione. You're the best friend a girl could have." Then she hugged her.
"Now what do you say, let's go talk to Will and Ron." Hermione said.
Chloe's grin faded and she said, "No, I don't want to talk to my brother right now. If I do I might hit him. It took all my strength not to hit him earlier."
"Okay Chloe."
"You know I think I'll just go to bed now. I'm kinda tired." Chloe said.
"Okay, see you tomorrow." Hermione said as she waked out of the room.
Hermione waked down the stairs, into the common room to see Ron and Will still sitting there.
Will had a blank look on his face, mouth agape. Ron was trying, unsuccessfully, to get his attention. Will turned to Hermione and said quietly, "I can't believe she talked to me like that. She's never talked to me like that before."
"Well I have a feeling it's what you said about Tom." Hermione said.
"I didn't mean it. I just got caught up in the heat of the moment." Will said.
"I think we should go to bed." Ron said. Then turning to Will he said, "Come on mate, let's go."
"Yeah, I'm coming." Will said slowly, and followed Ron upstairs.