Title: Holding Court

Rating: PG-13

Summary: *WARNING: this story is an unabashed celebration of Harry Potter's uniqueness and powers. Anyone who would prefer to see another character glorified, turn away please!*

Hogwarts is divided amongst the four Houses. As physical violence increases, a Hufflepuff fourth year watches as her hero fulfills his destiny. Set in Harry's seventh year, doom approaches. But where is the real war; between the Houses or against the Dark Lord?

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

********************************************************************************************************

Minnie returned to Hufflepuff Chambers with Valerie, Caroline and Paige. Though she tried to remember the path back to the dormitories, she was soon hopelessly lost. Luckily for her, the sixth years were chattering excitedly and didn't notice exactly how closely Minnie kept to them. Apparently, they might profess to hating Gryffindor with a passion, but they were not adverse to discussing its King thoroughly. Minnie was surprised to learn that these three girls knew more about Harry Potter than she did, all through their own observations. However, while they might have constituted what might have passed for a fan club, they were also giddy with the thought that someone might be able to best him in a duel.

The events were starting to catch up to Minnie.

The reality of the Dueling Club.

The fact she didn't seem to be in so much trouble after all.

That the Court seemed to be placing a lot of interest… and hope… in her.

And, her close encounter with Harry before Susan had arrived. She wasn't sure whether or not she was glad for her arrival. She almost wanted to hear what Potter was going to say to her. A tease? A thoughtful comment? A warning? An apology? Granger and Weasley had looked confused at his slowing down to speak to her, they obviously didn't know what he was up to. She shivered again, ohhhh he'd been so close! He didn't have to smile at her, all he had to do was look, and the feeling of being in those green eyes, sigh.

"And so, do you have anyone to go to the Valentine's Day Feast with?" Caroline asked, out of the blue. For a minute, Minnie panicked and thought to answer, but before she could make a fool of herself, Valerie answered the question with a dry snort.

"I've been dropping subtle" very heavy emphasis on that last word, "hints as to its coming up," what was she talking about, they still had a month! "But Joseph seems completely blind, deaf and mute to the subject."

"Well, if there's no competition, you can bet he's not going to notice!"

"Well, so does that mean I'm supposed to flirt with Stephen? Ask him to partner me in dueling or something?"

"No," from Paige this time, "Stephen's mine. Hands off."

The friendly banter continued until they reached the column entrance. Once in the Common Room, the older girls bid her goodnight and headed off to their dorm, still discussing the emotionless-fool-that-was-Joseph, disappearing along with their giggles.

Minnie tiptoed into her dorm, hoping that all the other girls would be asleep. She checked that no one had touched or disturbed the charm around her diary then padded off to the bathroom to change. She was already changed into her nightdress and climbing into bed, when she heard movement from the bed next over.

"You 'kay?" asked the sleep muzzy voice of Tyler, who appeared from under her covers, rubbing her eyes. "Punishment wasn't too bad, was it?"

"No, I'm fine." Minnie responded, slightly warmed that someone was concerned about her, even if that person was obviously having trouble keeping her eyes open and her mouth moving.

"Don't 'suppose you c'n tell me what it was?" Tyler's head sank back on the pillow and she closed her eyes. "Mmmmm?"

"No, I can't… sorry." It seemed little for someone who'd stayed up waiting for her.

"S'all right." Tyler was asleep before she finished the sentence.

Minnie soon joined her.

***

This time, when Minnie arrived in the Common Room before coming down to breakfast, the seventh years didn't rise with annoyed looks on their faces. In fact, as Susan and Ernie walked her down, they talked excitedly about the Dueling Club.

"Confundus Charms, you know, that's what the Gryffindors have been doing," Ernie was saying.

"Yes, but Confundus only confuse temporarily, you can work around them, if you know what they do," argued Susan.

"But that's all we need, if we can confuse them, we can get a good curse in and finish it off!"

"Not if they systematically put up a Shield Charm!"

"They'll be too busy working out what's happening to them!"

"Still, as a gut reaction, you can train yourself to immediately shield yourself for the instant it takes to work out what's happening to you. I've been trying that against Justin and Zacharias. It works all right, you know."

"You didn't tell me that! I guess I'll try it next time, though, it does sound like a last resort plan to me…" Ernie trailed off.

"We are at last resorts, you great fool," teased Susan.

"But so, a Shield Charm will deflect most of the Confundus, you say?"

"Yup, but the timing has to be right, you can't be too late or too early. I just randomly repeat 'Protego' until I know how to get around what they've done to me."

"So, maybe we could find a stronger Shield Charm? That has to exist!"

"Well, I tried 'Mure' during the last meet, Granger cut through that one like it was whipped cream."

"They've got something stronger, I know it," Minnie decided on joining the conversation. The two others looked at her in surprise.

"How do you know?" asked Ernie.

"Well, yesterday, at breakfast, the Shield that Potter used managed to stay up for quite a while, it covered a lot of space and deflected most everything," she responded

"Yeah," said Susan slowly, "but we can't exactly walk up and ask Potter what that Charm was…"

"I can work on it," said Minnie, which brought smiles to the other's faces. "But some charms are unique to the wizard." the smiles faded. "I'll give it a shot."

"Thanks," said Ernie, with a sheepish grin on his face now.

They'd arrived at the Great Hall. Minnie spotted Owen and Kevin waving at her from farther down, and, hastily excusing herself from Susan and Ernie, she rushed off to join them, making sure to keep her back to Gryffindor.

"So," asked Owen excitedly, "What did they make you do?"

"Cleaning the greenhouses? Pruning all of Professor Sprout's hedges?" Kevin leaned in.

Minnie grinned, looking directly at Owen she said, "It's a secret. I'm not allowed to tell you." Now if he couldn't figure it out from that, she wasn't going to risk any more.

"That makes no sense!" exclaimed Kevin.

"Yeah, what kind of punishment is it if the others can't fear it," Owen looked confused even though he was laughing

"Sorry, but I'm in trouble enough with the court, I don't want it any worse."

"So," said Kevin, mock pensively, "We know at least that it was rather unpleasant…"

"Yeah, she doesn't want it to get any worse…" continued Owen.

"Stop it, both of you. I'm not going to slip up and tell. As for you, do you know many people who want their punishment to get worse?" Minnie pretended to scold.

"Well…" Kevin and Owen dropped it, starting to argue about Hufflepuff's chances of winning the Quidditch Cup this year.

Minnie's attention shifted elsewhere, to the doors of the Great Hall specifically. She knew that she's promised herself time and time again now, but there he was. He was walking into the hall, had there been no Quidditch practice today? in his school robes. Oh my, now that was a sight to wake up to, tall, self- assured, manly and beautiful. Minnie was dimly aware that she wasn't the only person staring dreamily at him. Hermione Granger was on his arm. They swept past the other House tables before coming to a halt in front of their seats where Harry graciously waited for her to sit before he sat next to her, looking for all the world like reigning Hogwarts Hearthrob, which he was, sort of, admitted Minnie to herself.

Minnie noticed that they'd seemed to choose their seats deliberately, Harry even nudging a third year aside. They were talking animatedly, but Minnie caught the focused look on Harry's face and saw that Harry left his wand out in front of him, by his knife.

What captivated her was the smile on Harry's face. She hadn't often seen it, as his face was usually impassive when in public, but here… Wow. Valerie, Caroline and Paige were practically drooling in their porridge from their seats, farther down. And Granger also looked radiant. Was there something going on between them? It would be unlikely, that they'd get together so far along. But then again, the Weasleys didn't look miffed, so that pretty much ruled out the couple aspect.

But it wasn't long before Minnie- and the rest of the school- found out the reason behind the Gryffindor King's good mood.

The Slytherins were rising. Malfoy was approaching with Blaise Zabini on his arm this time. He ought to walk in with her more often, they make a striking pair. They were walking with slow, measured paces, looking regal and unapproachable. Owen was right, today, with the dark stormy sky above them, it did look a bit eerie. Malfoy stopped and shook a fourth year's hand, Kyle, Minnie thought he was called. Then, leaving him, he continued to another student Minnie knew and hated as well. Deidre, the Slytherin fourth-year Brain, who regularly gloated out loud every time she achieved good marks. She'd slowly held out her hand, as was proper manners, and Malfoy had taken it and pulled it to his lips, smiling seductively at her. Well, for all of her supposed brains, Deidre sure melted easily. Not that I should talk, thought Minnie. She took her hand back and Malfoy moved on. He arrived at his seat, sat Blaise down then sat down himself. The rest of Slytherin pulled out their wands and held them over their plates, "Draco."

The name rumbled through the Hall as the small, silver dragons appeared.

But, they started flickering out a bit too soon. Then, one by one, they popped, and in their place appeared, - roast chickens?

Draco Malfoy let out an inarticulate sound of rage as he stood, staring unbelievingly down at the table. The Slytherins were staring in horror as these featherless –were they turkeys maybe? – squawked, turned around once or twice, looking desperate and confused, then petered out.

Almost as one, the Hall turned to look toward the same spot, at a table decorated in red and gold.

Harry Potter was playing with his wand absentmindedly, grinning up at the stormy sky above them. However, Hermione Granger was shaking helplessly against him, her head on his shoulder and her entire body writhing, tears leaking out of her eyes. Others sitting close by were also smiling helplessly, some shrugging or shaking their heads amusedly.

Several Slytherins stood, wands raised and poised, but before curses could fly, red sparks came from the Head Table. Dumbledore was standing, wand in hand, with an amused look on his face. Well, he was a Gryffindor, wasn't he? Students who had been standing returned to their seats, several of the younger students had begun fleeing the Hall, fearful of being caught in the crossfire of the battle that seemed eminent.

Slytherins looked mad enough to chew nails while Gryffindors looked highly amused. Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws looked at each other in wonder and anticipation.

"Would Mrrs. Potter and Malfoy please join me in the antechamber immediately following breakfast? And would their Houses kindly refrain from retaliatory actions in their absence? Those who would attempt to curse those from another House would find themselves in sorry trouble indeed. Thank you," he concluded before stepping across the raised dais that was the Head Table and into the aforementioned antechamber. Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall both rose and drew their wands, supervising the other's table. The Slytherins looked resentfully at their Transfigurations teacher while the Gryffindors warily eyed the end of the Potion Master's wand.

Harry Potter rose, still smiling widely, raised Hermione Granger's hand to his lips, eyes twinkling merrily and jauntily strode off after Dumbledore, leaving a Hermione still shaking in laughter. She was now leaning weakly against Ronald Weasley, who seemed inclined to burst out laughing himself, and was earning herself murderous looks from a large part of the female population of Hogwarts.

Draco Malfoy, still smarting from the roast chicken insult, also rose, though he stalked off into the anteroom with considerably less good humor and grace than Potter.

The Hall waited in silence and baited breath before the door opened and Dumbledore stepped out. He seemed completely unconcerned with the avid looks everyone, including the teachers were giving him, he went to his chair and pulled the coffee pot closer to him. He poured himself a cup and took a sip. Frowning, he tapped his wand over it, sipped at it again, then relaxed back into his chair, the cup still in both hands. Only then did he seem to notice the looks. Still, he did nothing but look calmly out over the crowd, still sipping at intervals.

Abruptly, the door to the anteroom opened and Harry Potter walked out. He stopped just outside, turned and closed the door behind him. He walked back to his seat normally, where he picked up his bag and said a few words to Weasley and Granger (who had finally been able to control her laughter). They nodded and rose, Virginia Weasley joining them and they walked out of the Hall, seemingly ignoring the questing stares everyone save Dumbledore was sending them.

Once they were out, gazes shifted to focus themselves once more on the door to the anteroom, but they waited in vain. The last minute bells were ringing and teachers and students were leaving while Slytherin waited in vain for its King. Eventually, they were forced to leave, following an order from Theodore Nott and the Hall emptied.

***

Transfiguration might have been Minnie's favorite subject, it didn't make her any better at it. They were attempting to switch a raven's beak with that of a budgie today. Only, so far, Minnie had managed just about any combination except that one. She'd placed quills, pieces of parchment, a book and even her partner's wand on the raven's face… everything except the budgie's beak. It was depressing. Of course, her partner wasn't helping. Eleanor had come to sit by her before she could be rescued by either Tyler or Kevin, who were now partnered together and obviously doing very well. Working with Eleanor, by itself, wasn't anything new. However, working with a silent, almost angry Eleanor was something Minnie had never even seen done before. She raked her memory for any particular offense she might have committed that would merit such a punishment but came up empty. So, she just settled for ignoring the seething girl next to her and concentrating on the raven in front of her.

The end of the lesson approached, and along with it, the confrontation that seemed imminent, if Eleanor's movements were anything to be believed.

"What's going on with you and Owen?" came her accusatory voice.

"Nothing much, we're good friends," Minnie had been expecting much, but a question about Owen?

"How friendly?" again, the same vicious voice.

"I'm not so sure…."

"Try me." flat voice now.

"Well, he asked me out… we just haven't done anything together to confirm it, you know…"

"He asked you out? He asked you out! Who do you think you're kidding?" disbelief and hostility written out on Eleanor's pretty face, twisting it into something else.

"What's so unbelievable with that?" asked Minnie, feeling hurt.

"Yeah right, as if anyone would ever ask you out! You're… Minnie. You're just Minnie for Merlin's sake!"

"Hey!"

"Oh don't look so surprised. Seriously, that anyone would consider you…" The bell had rung moments before and students had begun leaving, but Eleanor paid that no notice. Suddenly, Minnie felt an arm come around her, coming to rest on her shoulder, with a chin coming to rest on her head.

"What's going on here?"

"Owen!" Eleanor looked flustered, but she recovered the offensive quickly. "So that's what it is, is it?" She nodded looking completely sure of herself now, "If you think that this is going to fool the Court for a single instant, you're both delusional."

"What does the Court have to do with this?" asked Owen innocently.

"Hah! Don't even try it, Owen! This is just some ploy to try to get back into Zacharias' good graces! And you" she rounded on Minnie, "You think this is going to pursuade Hannah that you're not thinking about Potter! This is just some lame farce. It doesn't fool me and neither will it fool the others." She finished with a triumphant glow on her face, picked up her bag and flounced out of the classroom. Laura, who had come up behind her at the end of class looked at Minnie uncertainly, then turned and followed her friend out. The classroom was now empty, save for Minnie and Owen, Owen's arms still around her, and Tyler and Kevin who were leaning against the doorframe.

"We won't even pretend we didn't hear that," said Tyler, matter of factly.

"All we want to know, is if that had any grain of truth to it," continued Kevin, looking intently at Minnie, probably because I can't lie convincingly, she thought. Let Owen handle this, it was his idea.

"Of course not!" he answered defensively. "Why does there have to be an ulterior motive for me to go out with Minnie?"

"Oh, there need be no reason," said Tyler calmly, even though Kevin seemed as though he wanted to add something. "Come now, we have Binns next and I want a seat next to the window."

She left, with Kevin reluctantly following her. Owen and Minnie slowly disengaged themselves as they were left alone.

"This is going to be harder than I thought," said Owen softly.

"I could have told you that," Minnie murmured.

"If even Eleanor…" he said the name with distaste, "If even she can tell what we're doing… I'm going to be kicked off the Quidditch team for sure."

"We'll simply have to try harder," Minnie wasn't used to seeing Owen as other than the headstrong, confident boy she'd gotten used to over the past four years.

"How?" he snorted.

"Meet me in the Common Room after supper, don't run off with Kevin," she answered.

"Okay," that got a slight beginning of a smile from him. "Come on, we've got class."

He turned to go, but before he could leave, Minnie caught up with him and grabbed his hand. He looked surprised at that and opened his mouth to speak. Minnie didn't let him, she pulled him through the door after her and marched off to History of Magic, never letting go of his hand. Her fast pace gradually slowed down as they approached, her death grip on his hand also loosened, letting it fall into a more intimate grasp.

Tyler and Kevin were standing lightly to the side, muttering animatedly. They turned when Minnie and Owen approached. Minnie also sensed Eleanor and Laura's furious gazes on her as she walked towards her other friends. They had class with the Ravenclaws. That meant that Orla Quirke was standing not too far off and she could feel Owen tense briefly. But he soon relaxed and when they finally stopped in front of Kevin and Tyler, he let go of her hand, to encircle her waist, from the side.

Tyler raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Kevin only cocked his head to the side, as if considering the two and said, "You make a charming couple."

***

Supper was a relatively quiet affair. Draco Malfoy was back, pale as ever but it seemed a dark and forbidding cloud hung over his head, no one was speaking directly to him, that Minnie could see. He was stabbing furiously at his chicken and Minnie remembered that, though Gryffindors held a reputation for pride, Slytherins did as well. Potter and his friends would do best to watch their backs.

Minnie was sitting with Owen, Kevin and Tyler, as Eleanor and Laura seemed to want nothing to do with her anymore. They were deliberately avoiding anything revolving around any possible relationship between Minnie and Owen, a discretion Minnie felt was owed to Tyler. The other three were going over the events of the morning, mainly the 'chicken incident' as it was now known. They were also speculating as to what had gone on in the anteroom. As they seemed fully preoccupied, Minnie was free to speak to the person sitting next to her.

"Holly? Can I ask you something?"

The fifth year turned away from her friends and raised an eyebrow, "Sure."

"How often do we, I mean, how often does the You-Know-What meet?"

"Oh, that! Well, usually once a week, we try to go for Tuesdays. But you can go in there whenever you want, you know."

"Can the books that were up on the balcony leave the Chamber?"

"Oh yeah, they're perfectly normal books. Getting started on those Charms, are you?"

"I want to try."

"Well, good luck. Just remember, when you're in there, watch your back. Though, no one can attack you when you're up on the balcony, or on the stair."

"Oh, thanks," but Holly had already turned back to her friends.

"What was that about?" asked Owen, who'd been looking at her.

"Oh, nothing. Well, it has to do with my punishment, that's all."

"Oh," and he too, turned away.

***

Minnie only had a vague idea of what she wanted to do with Owen. What she knew, was that they had to make it look slightly more serious than just holding hands in the corridors. And that meant… he should have been the one to initiate. after all, this whole mess was his idea. But if they stopped now, Eleanor would be vindicated and the Court would know that the whole thing had been a set-up. They were stuck.

Minnie had kept Owen behind as the others went up the stair to Hufflepuff Chambers. Once again, she reached for his hand. He must have been thinking along the same lines as she had because he brushed her hand aside and once again, put his arm around her shoulders. She appreciated the effort and lay her head on his shoulder.

They entered the Common Room in that way and Minnie steered him over to the large chair she'd sat in two nights previous. It was large enough to seat two people, if they were pressed together. Owen raised an eyebrow and eyes seemed to ask, "Are you sure?" Minnie simply pushed him down and came to settle against him, her head on his chest.

He began the conversation, his voice rumbling through his chest, under Minnie's ear.

"This is strangely intimate, you know," he spoke softly, so no one would hear.

She smiled, "I know. But we have to do more than pretend."

"What does that mean?" he said slowly.

"That means that pretend isn't going to fool Eleanor and the others." She raised her head, placing a hand on his chest where her head had rested. She faced him, "I'm going to truly be your girlfriend."

His eyes were gazing intently at her, as though he couldn't believe she was saying this. To be honest, she knew that this didn't fit with the image she had, of being a brainy, prude, mussy, plain bookworm.

She brought the hand from his chest to his lips, tracing their contour. His eyes darkened and he opened his mouth to speak, but she moved her hand to put a single finger on his lips, forbidding him to speak, "I know, I know. In mind, you're going to be thinking of someone else. I can live with that, but in body, you're going to be mine." She marked a pause, "Can you understand that?"

He shut his eyes briefly, the only sign of acknowledgement she supposed she was going to get. She could see Eleanor and Laura glaring at her from the other side of the Common Room. She felt a surge of anger and of… power. She looked Owen straight in the eyes and moved in. She brushed her lips over his for a moment then began to move them, pressing a little harder. After his surprise melted away, she felt his begin to move in response, though his body remained still under her. She sucked on his lower lip as she brought her hand back to his face, cupping his cheek, brushing over the skin with her thumb. Finally, she brought her tongue out, caressing his still closed lips, pressuring them to open. However, when he finally did open his lips, it seemed to break a dam in him. He brought his arms up, encircling her, one hand on her lower back, caressing, the other rising to entangle itself in her hair. His own tongue came out to move with hers. It was an exploration of his mouth, tasting him, running her tongue over his teeth and over his palate. He had no particular taste, just that of the chicken they'd eaten for supper, but the pressure of his mouth created a powerful feeling in her. And as she reveled in it, Owen took control of the kiss. It was his turn to taste her, to explore her own mouth and then ease away, kissing up her jaw line to her earlobe. Then the sensitive skin behind the ear as she rolled her head to one side to allow him access. He kissed her ear, running his tongue up the ridge on top, nibbling on the lobe, then brushing his lips down her neck, coming to a stop a the top of her robes, where he buried his face in the black fabric.

She eventually pulled away, easing off his lap, coming down on the ground, kneeling so she could look up at him. He looked lost, tears were forming at the corners of his eyes.

"Sorry," he said, brushing them away.

"No, you have nothing to be sorry for. That was my idea, remember?"

"Was that your first time?"

She nodded, she'd been rather nervous about this.

"It should have been with someone you really cared for…" he trailed off. Minnie felt a heaviness in her heart; he was right.

"It's too late for that now," she forced a smile. "And we're going to have to continue that way, for a while, you know."

"Thank you," he said before falling silent.

She smiled sadly at him, then rose and headed to her dormitory. She felt tired all of a sudden.

She saw Laura begin to rise to follow her but was pulled down by Eleanor before she could fully get to her feet. Tyler was watching her progress, but she too stayed put, curled up with her book. Marc and Kevin had been playing Exploding Snap off to a side, but their attention was on her. She was grateful when she reached the corridor that led to her dormitory and could shield herself from all those stares.

She lay in bed for a while, sleepy, but not enough so to actually drift away. She kept re-playing her first kiss in her mind. It hadn't been at all what she'd imagined. It hadn't been passionate or desperate, it had merely been experimenting, exploratory. It hadn't left her breathless or panting, clinging to the arm of the person she'd kissed. And as for the person, she hadn't felt joined in any way. She'd wanted a connection, but she'd had a rude awakening. She'd felt separate from Owen, as though he'd merely been flesh beneath her to be tasted and played with.

But then again, she'd always heard that first kisses were disappointing, that they very rarely lived up to expectations. For that matter, Owen didn't live up to her expectations of a romantic interest either. Her romantic interest… what a cold way of describing him. She pictured him, the ideal person she'd want to kiss. She saw him clearly; tall, lean, intense, protective. The picture became more and more precise, she could see almost every detail, from the vivid green eyes to the lightning shaped bolt on his forehead… oh no, she groaned. Not again!

But she couldn't help it. She imagined being in his arms, arms that were so much stronger than Owen's, pressed up against a chest much broader than Owen's, with lips much softer than Owen's exploring her neck. No! She couldn't do this to herself. She was with Owen, she had to accept it.

But a first kiss… how were they supposed to be? In books and in the movies she'd seen with her cousin… It was supposed to be moment fraught with passion and desire, both people not able to get enough of the other. It was supposed to be a moment where you fell into his arms, in tears maybe and he would bend to kiss them away… Or maybe it was after he'd done something exceptional… and he'd be pumping adrenaline so much that he'd sweep you off your feet… Or else, it would be the complete non-entity that she'd just shared with Owen. Separate. Emotionless. Dull.

A lot like Owen, in fact.

A lot like herself too.

Was that why she burned for someone who actually lived the passion and the adventure she only dreamed about? She could still see him, the emblem of all that she was not. She could see him conquering the basilisk. She pictured him fighting Dementors. She saw him dueling Lord Voldemort, and winning where so many had failed.

She steeled her mind, bringing it back to more practical, realistic matters. Tomorrow, she would go to find the Dueling Chamber. She'd find some books that would help her and then she'd start to work on the charms. She'd create some good ones and once again find herself in the good graces of the Court. Owen would be rehabilitated in front of Zacharias and this charade would stop. It would. It would, she told herself as she drifted away, caught on the endless river of sleep.

********************************************************************************************************

A/N: Thank you soooooooo much to those who reviewed! (And shame on those who didn't)

Merlana: I was nervous about doing a Dueling Club, especially after OOTP came out and everyone started modeling them on the DA. I'm really thankful that you thought it was okay!

Anon: Yes, Harry is perfect. There's a reason for that, but it's not explained for another five or six chapters. On the other hand, we are only seeing him through the eyes of a small girl who not only has a huge crush on him, but also only sees him in public.

Yellowpages: I'm starting to get really scared. After all, you seem to like the story so much and I'm afraid that you won't like where this story is going… But I still love you and adore you for reviewing!

Fang-three-claw: * blushes * gee, thanks! You're right, there was no way to follow into sixth year. I will have references to OOTP (think along the lines of a certain prophecy, hmmm…) Funny thing is, I had most of this planned out and written before I read OOTP. I was amazing that I was able to slightly change the wording at the end and the whole thing actually worked! This is a kind of "uberHarry" fic, but the ending is very different from most of those that I read (although I love most of them anyway- The Red Dragons Order and Naia are amazing writers in that department!).

Joshval124: thank you, I've read more fics than I thought even possible to write and I can assure you that this story will be quite different (but then again, there aren't many who choose to use a naïve OC Hufflepuff as a point of view).