Title: Sex Triangle
Pairing: HP/NT/SS + HP/others + R/H
Summary: It's Harry's sixth year, and when it begins, Harry thinks it will just be another year of fighting evil and bad things happening. However, when Harry's self-confidence gets a boost (with the help of the Weasley twins), he starts to see life in a whole new light. Of course, being overly confident can land you in a lot of trouble, as Harry learns the hard way. So can accepting help from Fred and George...
A loud crash came from the behind the door next to the staff table and resounded throughout the great hall. Most of the few people remaining in the great hall took no notice, but Parvati and Padma Patil, who were both sitting at Gryffindor table, had their interest piqued.
"What do you suppose that was?" asked Padma. Parvati shrugged and frowned slightly.
"I dunno, but Harry went in there just a minute ago. Students aren't meant to be in there. I know that if I knocked something over, I'd run away as fast as I could. And hide." Padma smiled at her twin benignly.
"So much for your Gryffindor bravery," joked Padma. Parvati just glared at Padma.
"Harry, on the other hand, would just stand there like a deer about to be hit by the knight bus." Padma looked at her sister as if she was seeing her in a whole different light.
"Just when are you such an expert on Harry Potter? I thought you said you didn't know him that well," accused Parvati's very suspicious sister. Parvati blushed ever so slightly. Padma noticed this and she began to grin incessantly. "Ooh! You like him!"
"Only a little!" said Parvati defensively.
"Well, join his fan club why dontchya?" Parvati blushed harder and poked her two index fingers together.
"I already have. The Gryffindors set one up last year. We were gonna tell Harry, to let him know that he still had supporters, but then we learned he hated being fawned over, so we decided to keep it a secret. We meet in the room of requirement every time we want to think deeply of him. It's become our second common room or sorts." She looked at the ceiling. "We have a shrine," she said off-handedly. Padma mouth the words 'a shrine' while staring at Parvati incredulously.
"And I suppose that this shrine has things belonging to him all over the place? Pictures that Harry doesn't even know exist? I bet you even paid Colin Creevey to get forbidden items and..." She rubbed her temples as if she were getting a vision of sorts. She looked her sister dead in the eye. "...Naked pictures of him in the shower!" Parvati pretended that there was something very interesting in the corner to stare at. Leave it to her Ravenclaw sister to figure out every bit of her scheming in less than thirty seconds. She decided to change the subject.
"Come on, let's go check out that noise. I bet Harry did something stupid." With a little more coaxing from Parvati, Padma got up and proceeded with some speed to the small wooden door. Both their jaws dropped when they saw Harry and Tonks, both of whom were just waking up.
Tonks moaned slightly from the dull throbbing in the back of her head, but this moan of pain could have been easily mistaken for one of pleasure. She tried to recall exactly what had happened. She had hit her head against the wall trying to catch Harry, who was himself passing out when he fell. She could feel a weight further down, pressing into her pelvis. She opened her eyes and found it was not the cauldron, but Harry. He was just waking up too, and he lolled his head in a daze. He must have brushed some sensitive parts, because Tonks gasped shakily. At that exact same moment she looked Parvati right in the eye, and Harry became fully aware of where he was. His eyes widened.
"Ok Harry, this is an understandable mishap. Tonks will surely not make a big deal out of this. Hopefully you can get away with the least possible amount of embarrassment", he thought to himself.
"Uhh...sorry to interrupt. We heard a noise and came to...we'll just...go now," said a shocked Parvati.
"Yeah...we'll let you two get back to...uh...'it'," concluded Padma.
Harry and Tonks looked each other in the eye and began to scramble to stand up. "WAIT!" bellowed Harry desperately. The two stopped and turned to face him. "This is a misunderstanding-"
"We weren't doing anything, per say," broke in Tonks, who was much calmer than Harry.
"You two weren't interrupting anything!" Parvati looked at Harry sceptically.
"Is that so? Because it looked like you were going down on a teacher. On the first night."
"I've known her since the beginning of summer! It's not what you think!" Parvati gave Harry an appraising look.
"I guess it's more than I thought then..." she purred with a devilish grin.
"I don't even like girls that way!" As soon as he'd uttered the words he wished he could take them back. "No, wait! I didn't mean that! I meant I don't like Tonks that way!"
"So you like guys then?" questioned Padma with a knowing smirk, ignoring his defence. Harry just stared at her with a shocked expression. Tonks broke in with something else to embarrass Harry.
"But on the train you said that there wasn't anything wrong with going out with me. So this means you don't like me that way Harrikins? Is there someone else? You were rather pissed off when Draco was flirting with me..." Tonks mused speculatively.
"Malfoy was flirting with you!?" asked an amazed Padma.
"Harry fancies Malfoy!?" cried Parvati. "So the rumours are true..." she finished quietly, but just loud enough for Harry to hear. His attention immediately snapped to her.
"Rumours? What rumours? I don't fancy Malfoy!"
"Bloody hell! Harry fancies Malfoy!?" came a shocked voice from the door. All the shouting had attracted two more people-Ginny- who had spoken-and Susan Bones. Somewhere in the back of Harry's mind, he knew that Tonks and the twins were just playing a cruel joke on him, but when the two uninformed ladies entered the room, it all became much to serious for Harry to cope with. His lower lip began to quiver.
"B-but...not Malfoy! I never! You two!" he pointed at the twins, meaning to say that they were blowing this whole thing out of proportion. He pointed to Tonks. "And you!" Dennis Creevey showed up then with a camera and took a picture.
"Harry, you fancy all three of them, and Malfoy? Just wait until the rest of the school hears about this!" It was all became too surreal Harry to bear. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and he collapsed on the stone floor in a dead faint. Tonks stood over him and prodded him with her foot.
"Oh dear..."
When Harry opened his eyes, he recognised instantly that he was in the hospital wing. It was dawn, and the morning shone dimly through the nearby window. He thought back to what happened and just stared ahead in shock. "My social life is over!" he exclaimed in utter despair.
"That, I'm happy to inform you, isn't true." Harry nearly jumped out of his skin when Dumbledore walked out from behind a curtain. Before Harry could utter a peep the old headmaster pushed on. "After your collapse, Nymphadora and the Patil twins explained the situation to all others presents. They all realised it was one big, potentially embarrassing misunderstanding. They agreed to keep that little escapade to themselves, for your sake. Your very lucky to have such compassionate school mates, Harry," he said kindly. Hope sparked in Harry. The despair he had been feeling only moments ago was almost completely gone. Yes, Dumbledore was right, he was very lucky to be surrounded by good people. He decided to thank each one of them for understanding.
"That's good news sir. I'm more than a little relieved." Dumbledore nodded. His tone took on a slightly firmer tone.
"Now, Harry, there are a few things we need to discuss. You need to take up occulmency again." That didn't sound too bad. "With Professor Snape." Shit. "I know that you two had a bit of a...falling out over things that Serverus chose to keep from me."
"I wouldn't say that that really describes what happened."
"But he has already agreed to take you back." Harry fidgeted under Dumbledore's penetrating gaze. He was quite sure that Dumbledore could read his thoughts, but he dared not think it, in case Dumbledore really could. Nevertheless, when one tries not to think of something, they invariably think of it. Harry did his best to but up mental blocks, but he had forgotten most of what he knew. Dumbledore twinkled at him.
"Excellent Harry!" praised Dumbledore. "I see that you have not completely forgotten what you learned." Harry smiled softly at the praise, but then furrowed his brow.
"But sir, why can't you teach me? I mean, I know you must be busy, but with all due respect" he nearly spat the word. "to Professor Snape, I think you'd be a better teacher." Dumbledore nodded in understanding.
"Yes, I can see your point, and also your reluctance to spend more time with Serverus than necessary. But do try to get along. You might have more in common with him than either of you realise," said Dumbledore cryptically, twinkling more than ever as he said it. Harry realised that it was not up for discussion. "Serverus will talk to you some time during the week to arrange lessons. Now, is there anything you can tell me about the incident on the carriage that you didn't mention to Minerva?" He peered at Harry. Harry thought over it thoroughly, but came up with nothing.
"No sir, nothing. I told McGonagall everything. But I do have some questions, if you don't mind," Harry asked in a tone that suggested that Dumbledore had to answer. Of course, both knew that he had to answer nothing, but Dumbledore knew Harry had become a lot surer of himself since he came to Hogwarts, so he didn't mind the tone of Harry's voice. He was even secretly pleased that Harry would be so bold.
"Ask away." Harry silently thanked him.
"Tonks isn't in much trouble, is she? Because I don't hold her responsible at all for what happened." Dumbledore's smile broadened, as he was pleased that Harry was concerned.
"Not much, no. I believe you heard what was said behind closed doors?" Harry flushed with embarrassment. "I was just reminding her to be more careful in future. I don't hold her responsible either. You may be wondering who is responsible, and the truth is I don't know, but it is probably safe to assume that it was one of Voldemorts followers." There was a short silence between them.
"So how many attempts on my life is this now?" joked Harry lightly. Dumbledore's smile became a sad one, and his eyes compassionately bore into Harry's.
"More than a boy your age should have to go though. Now, breakfast will be starting soon. Why don't you run along and get dressed." Dumbledore rose, and casting one final, happy glance at Harry, walked away. Another question sprung up in Harry's mind, and he called after Dumbledore, hoping that the headmaster wasn't yet out of hearing range. There were a few seconds where there was no noise, and Harry assumed that the ageing man had been able to get far enough away, but he surprised Harry when he poked his head around the corner. He stepped into full view so that the doorway framed his tall form. "Did you want something else Harry?" Harry grimaced sheepishly and scratched the back of his head while chuckling nervously.
"Uh, just one more question. Why did the Thestral save us? I mean, I never really took them for the life-saving type."
"I do believe that the Thestral which saved you last night is the same one that you rode to the ministry of magic. It is difficult to befriend them, but if one does manage, the Thestral is fiercely loyal to its friend, and will protect him as such." Harry nodded in understanding.
"Thanks Professor. That's all. Goodbye." Dumbledore twinkled slightly, then strode off without a word.
Harry promptly got up and proceeded to his room where he got changed into his uniform and got his supplies, then headed down to breakfast.
He was dreading it, really. He'd have Ron and Hermione to contend with. He knew instinctively that they'd both demand to know where he had been last night, and then he'd have to tell them and relive those horrible memories. He milled over them, wincing at almost every little detail.
If only I'd had more cop on! If only I hadn't sputtered and said the wrong things, I could have made it away cleanly! What would somebody else have done? What would Fred or George have done?
A wicked revelation came to mind suddenly. "They would have used it to their advantage! What exactly would they have done? I think they'd have made it out that they were...Harry gulped...going down on Tonks. Then they would have tried to get the other twins involved...Jesus Christ! I could never do that! I mean...don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind it, but I'm not smooth enough to pull anything like that off. I'd just stutter and make myself look like a bumbling buffoon," Harry thought to himself.
Harry was suddenly reminded of the bottle that Fred and George and given him. It was still in the pocket of his clothes from yesterday. He'd forgotten he even had it midst the commotion of last night. He morbidly realised that he had a strange curiosity about the little tablets, that they might be the answer to his problems. But he didn't like that fact that he knew very little about them. What kind of effect would they have on him? Would he become a raving lunatic, like someone who had too much firewhisky? Or would they not work at all? He'd never taken any behaviour altering substance before in his life, and he was afraid to start.
Ron and Hermione, who were calling his name from Gryffindor table, interrupted his train of thought. He braced himself and walked over to them. "Hey guys!" They both seemed neither concerned nor surprised to see him.
"We heard about what happened last night," said Hermione curtly. The blood drained from Harry's face.
"But Dumbledore said that that was a secret!" Ron shrugged.
"And like all secrets, the whole school knows about it." Harry began to panic. Seeing this, Ron laughed. "Gotchya!" Harry looked a bit faint. "No, Tonks thought that you'd tell us anyway, so she decided to save you the trouble. Relax mate, your secret is safe! Nobody knows apart from you, me, Hermione, Tonks, Dennis, Susan, Padma, Parvati, Ginny and Dumbledore." Ron listed off the names haughtily, all the while Harry grew fainter. He weakly sat down beside Hermione. Ron was on her other side. He didn't realise until it was too late that he had sat down next to Ginny. He instantly became nervous. He tried to look away, but he instead caught Parvati's gaze from across the table. She smiled at him and Harry began to get a bit hot beneath the collar.
"So, Harry-" Harry froze. Ginny was talking to him in a tone that made him want to become invisible. He looked to his right and found Ginny looking up at him slyly. "I understand that you and Professor Tonks have been...canoodling." Harry went completely rigid.
"I'm not sure what that word means, but I can assure you that we were not doing anything of the sort. I know you're just trying to get a rise out of me, but it makes me uncomfortable, so would you please stop," he got out stiffly. Ginny sighed. He sounded like a robot.
"You're no fun Harry. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother."
Harry did a double take. What the hell did she mean by that?!
Ginny went back to eating and didn't speak to him for the rest of the meal. He slowly became aware that many people were looking at him. Correction, many girls were looking at him. He knew that something was different. Why did they suddenly start looking at him all like that. It wasn't terribly obvious-the odd quick glance, the occasional flick of the eyes-but it was enough to make him very uncomfortable. Some also seemed to be longing looks, others were curious ones, and some were...well, he couldn't quite place it, but it reminded him of how he looked at tender meat when he was hungry. By the end of breakfast, he couldn't stand it any longer. He stopped Hermione as she was getting up to go to class.
"Hermione, do you know why so many girls are looking at me?" he asked uncertainly. Hermione looked around and then back to Harry.
"What do you mean?" Harry looked really edgy.
"Well...I notice that sometimes they flick their eyes to me, then go back to whatever they were doing before. Others just stare for a long time and don't stop until I catch their eye. Then they look embarrassed. I think that some word may have gotten out about last night." It dawned on Hermione what Harry meant. Then she started giggling. Harry became slightly cross, and it showed in his body language. "What the hell is so funny?" She looked at him as if he had just missed the point of a paddy Englishman, paddy Irishman and paddy Scotsman joke.
"Harry, the girls have always looked at you like this. You just haven't noticed until now." Harry's face contorted so that it looked as if he was trying to divide six hundred and six by two and a half.
"What? No they haven't! I think I would have noticed after five years if every girl in the school was staring at me." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Oh really? I think I'll let you figure it out one your own, but I'll give you a hint. Some are just...curious. You are famous after all," she said briskly. Harry sighed and muttered under his breath about it. The conversation ended and he followed Hermione to their first class of the year: defence against the dark arts.
Tonks was no where to be seen. He wondered if she'd gotten lost, but then reminded himself that she had gone to Hogwarts for her education too, so she probably wasn't.
Just as Harry was beginning to feel like this would be a good class, the Slytherins walked in, Draco Malfoy in the lead. Harry groaned. He was going to have to take this class with the Slytherins? Then he brightened, remembering that he excelled at DADA (it was, after all, this class that earned him his only Outstanding OWL), and would have loads of chances to show up Malfoy. He looked over at Malfoy and smirked, imagining casting another patronus on Malfoy, or doing something reminiscent of what happened on the train at the end of last year. Malfoy, seeing Harry smirking at him, made a face. Harry, caught unawares, stalled and had to look away. He could just make out Malfoy chuckling.
About five minutes into Class, the door blew open noisily. Everyone snapped his or her head to see was the commotion was. The impression most of them got was of a dark spectre-like creature of the night, with huge, billowing robes and dark emerald green hair that flowed out and seemed to hang down in large spikes. It struck Harry as being very unlike Tonks. But then again, he supposed, he didn't really know her that well, and he knew better than most that first impressions weren't everything.
She stalked to her desk at the front of the room and slammed her hands down on the desk, causing it to lurch forward, right off the ledge that it was on. It tumbled down and hit the stone floor with a splintering sound. She looked taken aback, but quickly covered up for her blunder.
"That's what'll happen to all of your backbones if even one of you steps out of line in this class! If you all pay attention and work hard, we can get along like peas in a pod. If you mess around and disrespect me, we'll get along like...um...things that don't get along very well!" There was some muffled laughter from all over the class. Even Harry couldn't suppress the laughter, and it came out like a gawful.
Bollocks! I've lost them forever! Tonks cried mentally. Oh well, I'll just have to do my best.
Tonks caught Harry's eye, looking upset. Harry stopped laughing when he realised that she was really nervous and needed support. Her jaw clenched when the laugher didn't die down as fast as she'd expected. She waved her wand and cried "silencio!" and the whole room fell silent, not because people stopped laughing, but because suddenly their voices were gone. The students gradually began to calm down as they realised that there wasn't any point in complaining. Tonks was very pleased that many were looking at her with very impressed looks about them. She lifted the spell and there was some murmuring as students tested their voices. It died down when Tonks began to speak.
"Now, I suggest that you treat me with the respect I deserve. As you can see, I'm no pushover." Harry leaned over to Hermione and whispered in her ear.
"Why is everyone looking at her like she just bench pressed Crabbe and Goyle?" She whispered in his ear the answer.
"Because what she just did was no small feat." Harry looked at her absurdly.
"But it just a silencing spell! I can do those with my eyes closed!" Hermione sighed.
"Really, Harry! You've been living in the wizarding world for over five years!" she admonished. "It's easy enough to cast a spell-any spell-on one person. Most people can cast basic spells on two or three people, but to be able to cast a spell, even one as easy as silencio, on over thirty people is incredible!"
"It is?" Harry asked dumbly. Hermione sighed, exasperated.
"Why do you think Sirius inspired such fear in people? Everybody thought he was powerful enough to fire off a lethal curse that could affect thirteen people!" Harry slowly nodded, finally understanding why people had been so afraid of one man. Harry jumped when Tonks yelled at him.
"Harry Potter! This is class time, not lick your girlfriends ear time," she screamed, a twisted grin threatening to show. Harry went beet red and started to stammer an excuse. Hermione just buried her face in a book, a grin plastered on her face. She thought it was terribly funny the way Harry was reacting. "Yeah Potter, I'm sure you were just 'asking a question.' That's what they all say.
"I know that you've had both incompetent teachers and evil teachers for this class before, and as a result, you are far behind the normal syllabus. Fortunately for you lot, the normal syllabus no longer applies. From here on, all the dark properties of plants that you would normally learn here will be taught in herbology, all the dark potions in potions and so on. Here, you will learn only how to defend yourself and others from dark wizards and witches. It will become a duelling club of sorts. I will teach you about attacking spells, both light and dark magic, and teach you how to counter them. I will teach you how to survive if you are ever trapped in a room with a dark wizard. Remember that these are dark times. I expect you all to take this class very seriously. Your life may one day depend on what you learn here." Tonks' eyes scanned the room to see that everyone was paying attention. Indeed, with the notable exception of Malfoy, who was just looking bored and playing around with some lint on his desk, everyone appeared to be clued to their seats, even hardened Slytherins. She gave the class an approving nod. One of said Slytherins put his hand into the air. "Yes?"
"Do you mean you'll actually be teaching the dark arts?" The class hushed instantly. Someone could have heard a needle drop. Tonks' eyes skimmed the class, reading the intents of certain people. Even Draco was paying attention now.
"Yes. I will be teaching you some dark magic that the headmaster approves the use of, for the purpose of teaching you all to be better able to defend against it." Everybody exchanged glances, some glances of worry or uncertainty, others with excitement or elation. Harry and Ron shared one of worry and uncertainty. Harry turned to Hermione, expecting the same look as the one from Ron, but Hermione didn't look happy. She looked positively euphoric. A great grin was on her face as she bounced in her chair. Tonks noticed this. "Miss Granger, you look especially pleased," she pointed out searchingly. Hermione nodded vigorously.
"Oh yes, I've always wanted to learn more about the dark arts." Typical, thought Harry. That she'd want to learn about them simply because she doesn't know anything about them. "Like why they're considered dark, but why they're not illegal." She quietened down and looked mildly embarrassed. "Sorry, it's just that a learning opportunity like this hasn't ever presented itself to me before." Tonks laughed lightly.
"It's okay. I know that a lot of you must be feeling the same way. Many people wonder why the dark arts are dark arts. Why? I don't suppose that's ever been explained..." The class collectively said no. "Can anyone tell me?" Nobody put up their hand, even Hermione. Tonks was about to go on when Draco slowly lifted his hand high into the air. She looked mildly pleased. "Draco?"
"It's because of the intent of the person casting," he said firmly. The truth was, the reason he didn't answer at first was because he was too embarrassed to. He had tried to kiss her on the train. He really was going to as well. Even now, he couldn't help but admire her. Not only for her looks, but also for her standing. She was so young, and yet she was an auror. She was powerful enough to silence the whole class. His father was only other person he had ever seen display such power.
"Correct. Five points to Slytherin. It was the intent! Charms, Jinxes, Hexes and other light magic don't take into account emotional intent. If you concentrate hard enough and cast the spell correctly, it works. Their effectiveness depends not primarily on how powerful you are, but on how well you concentrate, and how well you wave your wand. Dark magic and curses on the other hand, vary depending on one's intent. Of course, wand waving, power and concentration also play major roles, but intent is what makes the difference between an effective curse and a devastating curse. Has anyone here ever cast Locomotor Mortis on another person?" Several hands went into the air, including Hermione's "This, believe it or not, is dark magic. Also known as the leglocker curse, it binds the legs together." There were a few gasps. "You!" she pointed at Blaise Zabini, who had his hand raised. "Tell us your story." He stood up and cleared his throat.
"Once last year, Goyle stole some food that I had, uh...appropriated" Ron and Harry flashed knowing grins. "And he can run surprisingly fast when he wants to,' he continued, glaring at Goyle the whole time. Goyle just pretended not to notice. "So I cast Locomotor Mortis on him, and he fell down. It took six hours for it to wear off."
"You must have really wanted it to work. Were you surprised at how effective it was?" asked Tonks, clearly asking questions that supported her intentions point. Blaise nodded.
"Yeah. I'd never cast it before. I expected it to maybe make him run like his legs were stuck together with something really sticky, but they wouldn't budge from place. I was pretty angry when I cast it. Is the reason it worked so well because I really wanted it to work?" Tonks nodded and Blaise smiled cheerfully then sat down.
"Hermione? You also had your hand up?" Hermione rose.
"Yes. I didn't cast Locomotor Mortis, but I did cast Petrificus Totalus, which is similar. It's the full body bind. It worked, but only for a short while. I think now that that's because I didn't really want to cast it, but I needed to. I can do it better now. I cast it in my first year." She sat back down. Ron wondered if she knew how she sounded when she spoke like that. She didn't even need to include the fact that it had been in first year that she'd cast it! She just did that to try and impress other people. It pissed Ron off because it worked. Everybody was looking at Hermione like they'd seen her in a whole new light, except Neville, who was glaring at her. Ron didn't blame him. After all, he was the one on whom spell had been cast. Tonks clapped her hands together.
"Now, the legality of the dark arts has been questioned by Hermione." Tonks looked around slyly. "The dark arts are not banned. You may practice them freely, as there is nothing in the law that says you can't. I won't lie to you about them. Here at school most dark arts material has been removed to the restricted section in the library. The reason it isn't taught is because most people don't use the dark arts in everyday life, unlike charms and transfiguration, which generally become essential to most wizards. If one wants to learn the dark arts, all you need to do is take a trip to Knockturn Ally, buy some books, then go home and practice. Even the three unforgivable curses are legal." There were murmurs of surprise. "It's only the casting of dark magic on another human being that carries penalties. Although I think anyone who practices the Cruciatus curse on animals should be punished. Sadly, this happens more than most people realise. According to intelligence gathered by the ministry over the last decade, it is believed that one in four people has at least attempted an unforgivable curse at one point in their lives, probably on an insect or rodent." The class was by now in a shocked silence. One in four!? People started to look accusingly at their neighbours, though more than a few eyes landed on Draco, who somehow managed to glare them all off. Tonks let the commotion die down.
"I find the lack of penalties wrong, even it is only an insect. After all, for the Cruciatus curse to be effective, one must want to cause pain, and anyone who wishes to cause that much to anything is sick. Parkinson!" Tonks suddenly yelled. Pansy jumped quite suddenly. "I want you to cast Cruciatus on me!" There was a collective gasp and everyone started talking. It was unthinkable! Is she crazy?! "I'm telling you, cast it!"
"B-but Professor! I-I-I...it's unforgivable! I can't-won't do it!" Tonks relaxed and smiled at the class.
"You see everybody? She doesn't want to. So much so that she refuses! Even if she pointed her wand at me and yelled Crucio as loud as she could, it wouldn't work at all. Of all the dark magic in the world, no spells require more intent in order to work than the three unforgivables. Hence why they are unforgivable. Class is over for now. This was just an introduction, real class starts tomorrow. Come prepared. You may all leave." The class filtered out until Tonks was alone.
She let out a shaky breath and sat down in her chair. "Wingardium Leviosa," she uttered, pointing her wand at her desk. It floated up and over the step before settling right in front of her. She folded her arms across the desk and rested her head on them. "That was hard."
"I think you did a fine job." Tonks screamed and jumped up, hit her knees on the mahogany desk, fell back down with the pain, missed her chair, and landed flat on her bum. She whimpered when she slammed into the cold stone floor. "Both of teaching, and of showing the Gryffindors that not all Slytherins would leap at the chance to cast an unforgivable." Tonks turned to see behind her.
"Bloody hell Dumbledore!! You scared me half to death!" She took his proffered hand and got back to her feet, rubbing her backside soothingly. She turned an accusing glare to him. "You were eavesdropping on my lesson!" Dumbledore twinkled.
"More than that. I was sitting with the students." Tonks gaped. "Invisible, of course. I was a bit worried when your desk nearly hit me, but a simple disillusionment spell made none of you aware that I stopped the desk in mid air for several seconds while I moved to the back of the class for safety," he said jovially, peering at her over the tops of his half-moon classes.
"Sorry," she mumbled, deeply embarrassed. "I didn't mean for that to happen. You-you really liked the lesson?" she asked hopefully. Dumbledore smiled down at her from his impressive height.
"Yes. You certainly managed to capture their attention better than anyone apart from possibly Professor Snape. Speaking of which..." Tonks blushed.
"Yeah, I was kinda mimicking his entrance. It was going great at first, until the desk..." Dumbledore chuckled.
"I think, Nymphadora, that you should be yourself. The students will like you no matter how you act. It isn't in you to be mean or terribly strict. But I was not talking about your entrance when I mentioned Serverus. I understand that you expressed an interest in learning legilimens and occulmency." Tonks nodded. "Well, it just so happens that there is a private class here where it is taught. Harry is learning it as well. Are you still interested?"
"Yes sir! I tried to get training, but my boss said that he knew of no one who could teach me. Even the senior aurors didn't have the skill. And the teacher is...?" Dumbledore smiled at her more than her was before.
"Serverus Snape." Tonks didn't look very surprised, but still quite impressed. She moved her hand to her chest.
"Snape? But he's so young! I heard it took decades of training to learn enough for it to be effective!" Dumbledore nodded. When he spoke again, he couldn't keep the pride out of his voice.
"That is true for most people. It took me thirty years before I could say safely that I had it down, but Serverus is quite simply the most brilliant occulmency master I have ever seen. Quite possibly the greatest who ever lived. In just a few short years, he had blown right past Voldemort. It isn't long now before even my skills at the art won't compare with his. It is becoming more and more difficult every day to read his thoughts. He has even been able to read mine." Seeing Tonks' disbelieving face, he elaborated. "It is sort of a game we play to keep each other's skills sharp. We tell a personal story of ours to the other, leaving out critical plot elements, and we then must delve into the others' mind when we least expect it, trying to figure out what really happened, or how it ended, or something along those lines. So far the score is twelve-three in my favour, but I haven't won a game in over a year." Tonks laughed. "Mm, yes. Well, he'll inform you when and where to meet at his own discretion. Harry will be pleasantly surprised to learn that he'll not be alone. There is a great deal of animosity between the two, which I fear won't abate for some time." Tonks' next class began to stream in. "Cherry-o Nymphadora, and have a good class," Dumbledore finished merrily as he exited through the door.
It was lunchtime, and most of the residents of Hogwarts were outside, basking in the lovely early autumn sun. It was only a mater of weeks, maybe even days, before the weather turned chilly. This far north frost would appear by October, and wouldn't disappear until April. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna and Neville were sitting in a circle in the courtyard, talking. They had finished their lunch as quickly as possible so that they could go outside. I wouldn't be this nice again until next summer.
Apparently some time over the summer Neville and Luna had started going out. Neville was still very nervous about showing her affection in public, but Luna kept on trying to get closer to him. Eventually, she gave up being subtle and leapt into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck for support. Ron and Hermione started teasing them and eventually the four of them were wrestling on the grass. Harry didn't feel comfortable with that kind of physical contact. He refused to join in, even when they all asked him to.
Harry walked away and leaned on the castle wall, near the gateway, where he watched them. He longed to be with them, but he was simply too embarrassed. What if he accidentally touched Hermione or Luna in an inappropriate place? It never occurred to him that that might have been half the fun of it.
"Harry! There you are!" It was Parvati. "I've been meaning to talk to you since last night." Harry gulped. He turned to face her.
"Yeah? What about it? Oh yeah, I've been meaning to thank you for keeping it silent. It really means a lot that you didn't go telling everyone. I have enough attention as it is." Parvati smiled at him.
"No problem. I'm sure you'd do the same for me." Harry nodded. She bit her lower lip, as if debating with herself. "When I saw you with Tonks, it made me think. I know that nothing actually happened, but I thought for a moment that you weren't as shy as you seem on the outside. It made me realise something about myself." Harry didn't like where this was going. He started to sweat. She looked into his eyes, seemingly getting lost in them. "I've...liked you, Harry Potter, for quite some time. Ever since you set up Dumbledore's Army. I was wondering if...if you'd...that is, if you would like to..." she sighed and took a deep breath. "Oh, fuck it." She stepped forward and pulled him into a kiss. She tried to push her tongue into his mouth, but his teeth were clamped firmly shut. When he didn't respond after a few seconds she pulled away. Harry look like someone had cast the petrificus totalus spell on him. He wasn't even breathing. Parvati's eyes darted from one of his to the other. "Well, I mean if you don't like me, then no harm done. We can just forget about this," she said quickly. Harry drew a breath.
"It's n-not that I don't l-like you. I'm just...um...uh...don't really...not sure..." he stammered. He didn't think he could make the situation any worse. He was wrong. "Cho Chang," he said. He meant to say 'It didn't really work with Cho Chang'. Not that that would have been a good thing to say, but it was better than just her name. Parvati glared at him.
"Well, I'm sorry if I'm not Cho Chang," she spat the name. "But I thought that you...oh, forget it!!!" she shouted. She stormed off, yelling obscenities at anyone that got in her way. Harry felt mildly sick to his stomach. He looked back at his friends, who were only just stopping their brawl. He was sick of this! He hated being the shy little guy who was afraid of women! He was six feet tall! He was sexy! He was famous for Merlin's sake! He was going to try those confidence boosts Fred and George had given him, then he was going to talk to Parvati and apologise.
By nine in the evening, all his homework was done, and he was in his room getting his clothes ready for the next day. After he laid them all out, he went through the pockets of his other robes, finding the little glass bottle. He opened it up and poured out one pill. It was small and shiny. It seemed to glow faintly. Taking a deep breath, he popped it in his mouth. It tasted like oranges. He swallowed it, but felt no different. He waited several minutes, but felt nothing at all. He decided to have a shower before he went to see Parvati. He had been sweating a lot today. Just as he was heading, he took another pill, thinking that maybe you needed more than one for them to work. He sure wished he had asked the twins about them instead of complaining about his privacy.
Harry finished his shower and put on his silk pyjamas. They hardly looked like pyjamas, seeming to be emerald green dress robes. He checked the common room, but found only her other dorm mates.
She would be the only girl who isn't out here, wouldn't she?
Harry went upstairs and headed into the girl's dorms. He wasn't sure which room was hers, so he just looked around for her. He was about to give up and go look for her elsewhere when a hidden door opened right behind him. He twirled around and let out a surprised yelp, then looked away, embarrassed. It was Parvati, in a towel, having just come from the showers, which were magically charmed so that boys couldn't get in.
"Harry! What the hell are you doing here!" she demanded shrilly. Harry raised his hands, as if doing so would get her to hear him out.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude, but I wanted to talk to you." She sighed, exasperated.
"Fine. What is it?" Harry looked up, trying to avoid her chest. He didn't do a very good job of it. He couldn't help but imagine her (presumably) tanned nipples pressed against the rough fabric of a towel. It was rather tight on her, as it crushed her breasts upwards, so that there was quite a lot to see. He looked into her eyes.
"The way I acted today when you kissed me was...well, pathetic." He suddenly wished he had actually thought out what he was going to say. "I need you to understand that I wasn't comparing you to Cho. I was actually trying to say that I was afraid of relationships because of how my one with Cho worked out. I'm sorry. I was wondering if...well, if you'd like to give me a second chance?" Harry couldn't believe he'd said that without stuttering. It was perfect! And it came from right off the top of his head!
Parvati look pleasantly surprised. She'd never expected him to say something like that. She looked to the side, thinking. She made up her mind rather quickly. She came up right in front of him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Even under the influence of the pills, Harry still started to get a bit nervous, but not so much so that it seriously impaired his ability to flirt. "Of course you can have a second chance. But only if you kiss me without hesitation." Harry did just that. For a long time.
"Harry!" Crap. It was Hermione. Harry looked at her, trying not to catch her eye. But she was smiling. Well, that can't be a bad thing...
Actually, it was Parvati who was the more embarrassed of the two, but she did a good job of hiding it. "Sorry Hermione. I know I shouldn't be kissing Harry in a towel in the hall," she said guiltily, and a little too loudly, for even before she finished, Lavender and Ginny showed up, getting a good view of her with her arms around Harry's neck. Ginny began to cackle and wiggle her fingers.
"Oh! I'm telling everyone! This is just too good not to share!" Ginny cried. Harry didn't even try to stop her. He knew it would be pointless to try, as she was already bounding down the stairs to the common room to spread the news. Harry disengaged Parvati.
"Well, it's getting late Parvati. I think I'll go to bed. G'night." He bent over and kissed her chastely on the lips, then strutted to his own room and went to bed. Some time before he fell asleep he grew anxious over what he had done. He tried not the ruin the happy feeling he had and stopped thinking about it. Shortly after he drifted off.