Author's Note: Thanks, Jodi, for reviewing and it is a bit hard to write
the intelligent words for Ron sometimes, but usually I know what the word
means (like I knew unfathomable) but sometimes if I want him to say an
intelligent word, and I don't know an intelligent word for what he is
saying, then I use a thesaurus. But more often then not, I know the word. I
mean, *coughcough* no! I never use a thesaurus! I know every single word he
says!... *coughcough* yes, uh-huh yep that's it *rolls eyes innocently*
CHAPTER FIFTEEN- Matchmakers (Hermione's point of view)
November left and December came upon us with even thicker snow. Care of Magical Creatures, and Herbology had to be canceled. I was quite upset but probably the only one who felt like that. Jasmine thought with all the extra time it'd be perfect to start our plan with getting Harry and Luna together.
"So what do we do?" I asked her the evening of Tuesday the third.
"Well. I thought if they got stuck together a while they might talk and get to, you know, like each other." Jasmine said brightly.
"Okay...?" I asked.
"Just trust me. "
"How do we get them stuck together for a while?" I asked. Jasmine smiled and pointed to a door.
"That leads to one of the darkrooms. I'm going to take care of Luna, she likes me. You know since her dad is my godfather she's sort of a godsister."
"Okay so what about Harry?" I asked.
"That's what you need to do. Get him wanting to develop a photo or something.
"HOW?!" I demanded.
"Hermione, you're smart, you'll think of something. Just get him in there at.." Jasmine checked her watch. "In fifteen minutes."
"Fifteen? I need to think of this plan in fifteen min-oh okay fine." I turned and went to the common room. Harry was studying by the fire. "Hey Harry." I said, sitting down. He looked up and smiled.
"Hullo Hermione." He replied.
"Listen, I need a favour." I said.
"Okay." He shut his book.
"I have some photos I need developed and I don't have time right now to develop them." I said. "Will you? Please?"
"Sure, Herms." He held out his hand. I looked at him in confusion. "The roll of film?"
"Oh! Yes!" I ran upstairs and dug through my bags. I had a roll almost completely used up and gave that to him. "Oh yeah and make them moving." I said.
"Okay." He left and I sighed. There. I did my part. Now it was up to Jasmine to do hers.
*** (Luna's point of view)
"Jasmine... what is this big surprise you want me to see?" I asked as I was guided along the hallways, blindfolded.
"Trust me you'll like it." Jasmine said. I was stopped and my blindfold taken off.
"It's a door." I said.
"Go in." She urged.
"Why?"
"Just do it." She snapped.
"What's behind that door?" I asked. Since I hadn't been at the castle too terribly long I didn't exactly have all the doors memorized.
"You'll find out." I sighed and went in. It was a darkroom and someone was using it.
"Oh, sorry!" I exclaimed.
"It's okay. Oh, hi Luna." I saw it was Harry and felt slightly better.
"Sorry, your sister was.." I turned and tried opening the door but it couldn't. "Jasmine!" I shouted. No answer.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, coming over.
"This door is stuck." I said, jiggling the knob.
"Its never stuck before." Harry tried jerking it open but it refused. He pulled out his wand. "Alohomora." But that didn't help.
"Jasmine?" I called again, knocking on the door.
"Jasmine, if you are out there the door is stuck!" Harry called, pounding on the door.
"Is it?" Jasmine asked and I heard her trying to open it. "Wait there, I'll get McGonagall or Dumbledore or someone." I heard her retreating steps.
"I guess we just wait." I said with a shrug.
"I don't mind." He said and returned to the photos. I went over and looked at them. A lot were of him, Jasmine and Ron.
"Are these yours?"
"No, Hermione's. She didn't have time." He said and pointed at a few with the famous Viktor Krum in them.
"Ah." I leaned against the table and looked around. "How long do you think it'll take her?"
"Depends how fast she can find someone." Harry said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"I mean I'm not implying I don't like being stuck with you. Well not that I do like it. I mean, I don't like being STUCK but I don't mind being stuck with you." I said and frowned. "Does that make any sense?"
"Yeah, I seem to hang around people who don't make much sense. Not that you- I mean-"
I laughed. "It's okay." A few more minutes past and I checked my watch. "Maybe the door just needs pushing again." I went back over and jiggled the handle and pounded at the door. I pulled out my wand and said the charm for a knife to come out the end. I ran it along the edges and tried opening it again, but nothing happened. I made the blade disappear and sat down. Finally Harry was done and sat with me.
"Sure taking Jasmine a long time." He said.
"Yeah.... she probably saw her boyfriend and got off track." I said with a smile.
"Yeah she really likes that slimy Slytherin." He sneered.
"So let's see if I have this straight. He is your mortal rival and your sister's boyfriend?"
"Yep."
"Which came first? Sister's boyfriend or-"
"Mortal rival. He and I have had it out for each other since the train ride up here our first year." Harry said, playing with his watch.
"No wonder you really don't like her dating him." I said quietly.
"Yep."
"I wonder what Lupus would do if I dated his mortal rival." I said with a smile. "Come to think of it, he doesn't HAVE any."
"That narrows down your boyfriend prospects a bit." Harry said and I laughed.
"I don't really have any 'prospects'. I don't even know what I WANT in a guy. All these girls are like 'Oh I want a guy with loads of muscles' or 'I want a guy who can play the guitar' and blah-dee-blah." I shook my head. "It's annoying."
"Yeah. Every guy I know wants a girl to-" He stopped short.
"To what?" I asked.
"Um, nothing."
"What."
"To uh... well uh.." He went slightly red. "You know."
"Have the kind of body on girls that appear on Muggle science fiction or fantasy novels?"
"What?" He asked and I made curves in the air with my hands. "Oh. Yes. Man those kind of bodies are just-" Then went even redder. "But I mean I'm not like that at all! Well I mean I-well-the-" He sputtered, getting even redder. I kept giggled. "I mean, I'd choose a girl for her-personality is important to me, and a great mind and-I mean its not just a girls body that- what I'm trying to say is-well its very hard for a guy to not notice and- you see I don't care if a girls not-I mean its not just what she looks like that-well I just can't-I mean sure I notice a girls-but I swear I don't- girls just-well-I-excuse me while I go bury my head."
I finally stopped laughing. "That was one of the funniest things I've ever heard."
"Glad it entertained you." I noticed he was blushing the deepest blush I ever saw on a guy. But it was dark and I could of been imagining it.
"I know what you meant, Harry. Trust me. After being with Lupus when he first starting noticing a girls sex appeal, I kind of have to translate stuff like that." I said with a smile.
"I'm sorry if I offended you in any-"
"No, I wasn't offended." I assured him and he looked quite relieved.
"Good."
"I have a question."
"Yes?"
"How come someone as popular as you isn't hooked up yet?" I asked.
"I just haven't found any girl I really like." He said.
"You sure have the pick of the litter what with almost every girl flocking after you."
"Oh God don't remind me. That is so bloody annoying. Luckily its only bad after a dance is announced. Otherwise they mostly giggle and wave and smile and bat their eyelashes as they pass." He said, shaking his head. Suddenly the lights went out and we were plunged into darkness. I screamed and jumped in his lap.
"Oh my God! What happened?!"
"The lights went out." He mumbled.
"Why?!" I shrieked, throwing my arms around his neck.
"I don't know. What's wrong?"
"Nothing." I said quickly and began hyperventilating. "I'm afraid of the dark."
"I'll get a light on as soon as I get my wand out." He put his hand up to reach inside his robes. He pulled out his wand. "Lumos." I felt better as a soft light surrounded us.
"Thanks for the light." I got off his lap and huddled close. "I am so scared of the dark."
"How come if you don't mind me asking?" He asked.
"I don't. It happened when I was seven." I said, breathing hard. "Middle of the night. Lupus decided he wanted a drink of water. He left the room and the lights went out. I got a bit scared, but not really. But then I started getting even more scared. I decided to go get him but I couldn't find the door. I started getting panicked and searched everywhere but it seemed the door had disappeared. Of course I started imagining all sorts of horrible things. Lethifolds, Nightmares, Dementors. I fainted dead away."
"Oh." He said.
"I don't like the dark." I said quietly. I felt him put his arm around me and felt better. I rested my head on his shoulder and stared at the light. 'This isn't so bad'. My mind thought. 'Huddled up close in the arms of a really handsome famous guy who is a total HOTTIE!'
"Jasmine is taking her own sweet time." Harry finally said.
"Umm-hmm." I said quietly. I closed my eyes, feeling quite sleepy all of a sudden. "Wake me up when she gets here." And I fell asleep.
*** (Harry's point of view)
Luna's breathing slowed and I knew she was asleep. I was quite glad of that for I had been resisting the urge to kiss her for quite a few minutes. I don't know why. I didn't LIKE her. Sure, she's a sweet, smart, and intelligent girl. But I just didn't like her that way.
So why had I been wanting to kiss her?
*** (Jasmine's point of view)
I checked my watch and decided to give Harry and Luna a few more minutes.
"I used to play matchmaker all the time." Jason floated in circles around me. I smiled at him, and continued reading. "I do miss being alive but oh well. I mean, after being dead for quite a while you get used to it. I just wish I had died sometime in the school year and then you could come to my Deathday parties." He continued.
"Well someday I'll come to one." I assured him.
"You know the thing I regret the most?" He asked.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Marriage. Yeah, I wanted to get married and have a few kids. Not seven like Arthur, ofcourse, but a couple."
"Ah." I said, reading some more.
"Arthur and I had decided to try and convince one of our kids to name one of their kids after the other. You know, one of his grandkids being 'Jason Arthur Weasley the Fourth' and one of mine being 'Arthur Jason Weasley the Third'."
"Maybe he'll still convince one of them." I said.
"I'm a 'Third' you know. Jason Arthur Weasley the Third."
"I guessed." I said.
"Yeah. The first was our great-grandfather's cousin. Then our grandfather's nephew. Then me."
"Fascinating." I said.
"The first Arthur Jason Weasley was our great-grandfather's other cousin."
"Imagine that."
"Being dead gives someone a lot of time on their hands and I have been thinking." Jason floated over and sat down on my bed.
"Yes?" I asked. Jason usually rambled on like this and I was getting used to it.
"I decided if I were alive I'd have two sons and one daughter. I've always wanted two sons. I always wanted to name my firstborn son 'William Jacob Weasley the Fifth'. After our uncle, William Jacob Weasley the Fourth."
"Umm." I said, rolling my eyes.
"I had a crush on this one girl at school. Mary Dewhurst. She was really pretty. I was always too scared to talk to her. Extremely popular, you know." Jason rolled onto his back and went through my bed. He popped back up and sat back down. "I thought she'd snub me but during my funereal she confessed to my dead body she liked me. I always wonder what happened to her." Jason sighed and I knew he was about to continue on so I shut my book.
"Oh look at the time, time to let Harry and Luna out." I headed to the darkroom and used the reverse spell on the 'door jam' spell I had used on it. I found the two against the wall. Luna was asleep in Harry's arm. "Jasmine what took so long? Luna, wake up."
Luna yawned and opened her eyes. "Oh, Jasmine, what took so long?"
"I uh. got lost." I said. The two walked out and I frowned at the darkness inside. "What happened?"
"Lights went out." Harry said with a shrug. 'Hmm. wish I thought of doing that' I thought as I shut the door.
"Bye." Luna smiled and went off.
"So anything else happen?" I asked Harry as we headed to the common room.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Oh come on. You and her... stuck together in a dark room." I smiled at him and he began coughing.
"Nothing happened. We talked and she fell asleep."
"What did you talk about?"
"Stuff." He said.
"Okay then. Bye." I watched him walk off, and headed down the corridors, deciding what my next move for them would be. Boy this was fun!
*** (Remus's point of view)
"Remus..." I turned from the window and looked at Ivana who was tidying up our room.
"Yes?" I asked.
"I'm glad we're back together." She said.
"So am I." I said. She walked over and sat down.
"I love you so much."
"I love you." I replied. She was silent and I frowned. "Okay something's wrong."
"Nothing is wrong." Ivana insisted.
"Something is. I can tell. What is it? You're not happy?" I asked, worried.
"Oh I am extremely happy, Remus." She promised.
"Then what is wrong?" She turned her back to me and leaned back.
"If we were together when the twins were born what would you of suggested for names?" She asked.
"I don't know. Why?" I asked.
"I just was wondering." She mumbled.
"I like the names Luna and Lupus."
"Me too. But what would you of suggested for names?"
"Hmm, I don't know. Why?" I asked.
"I'm just curious." She said with a happy sigh.
***
"Jasmine this is stupid and it won't work." Hermione hissed in Jasmine's ear.
"Of course it will. Shh. He's coming." Jasmine turned to Hermione and nodded.
"I-" Hermione began but from the look on Jasmine's face, sighed. "So they were stuck together for a while?" She asked.
"Yep. It was so sweet when I opened the door. Luna was asleep in Harry's arms." Jasmine said. Hermione heard Harry just on the other side of the corner, and knew he was listening.
Hermione really hated to do this but what she was about to say the truth. "They'd make a perfect couple."
"I think so, too. But Harry is a thick-headed dolt and would never ask her. He couldn't see the perfect girl for him even if she was right under his nose. Which she is. Anyway, I found the book let's go." Jasmine grabbed Hermione's arm and they went down the corridor.
"You really think it will?" Hermione asked with a sigh.
"Of course. By saying what I did, he'll do it. Trust me. I know him."
"I've known him longer then you have and I don't think he will." Hermione said.
Jasmine shrugged. "I have a feeling he will. A sister feeling." She said and Hermione sighed.
"You are really enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Of course!"
*** (Luna's point of view)
"Hold it still, Lupus." I urged.
"I am!" Lupus insisted. I tipped more of the glitter in the end of the firecracker.
"It's spilling."
"It's not!" Glitter sparkled down to the floor.
"Told you."
"Luna!" I jerked and the rest of the glitter dumped.
"That was so not my fault." Lupus said and I glared at him.
"Yes?" I asked, turning to Harry who called my name.
"Listen, I need to talk to you. Alone." Harry said. I looked at Lupus and he sighed.
"Fine, I'll go work on these myself." He gathered the firecrackers and glitter, and went off.
"What did you need?" I asked as I cleaned up the spilt glitter.
"Listen, I was wondering..." Harry knelt down and helped me. "You know-well see its like-and I overheard Jasmine saying-well its not what she said what was so-listen I was wondering if-Luna would you like to go on a-a-a date." He stuttered. I stared at him.
"A date?"
"Yes." He said, looking rather nervous. I sat back on my legs.
"Well, I don't know..." I said slowly.
"I understand." He said quietly and stood up.
"Well its not that I don't WANT to!" I said, standing up quickly. "It's just I don't know."
"When will-will you know?" He asked, wringing his hands.
"I." I frowned. "don't know."
"Well, uh, let me, uh, know." And he quickly walked off.
Now what had brought all that on?
*** (Lupus's point of view)
"A WHAT?!" I yelled.
"A date. Mom, dad, can I please go?" Luna asked.
"No! You can't! Mom! Dad! Say no!" I shouted.
"Lupus shut up! You can't control my life." Luna snapped.
"I'm your older brother, ofcourse I can." I snapped back.
"Lupus. Luna is asking US." Mom said.
"Who asked you?" Dad asked.
"Harry, actually."
"I'll kill him." I said, folding my arms.
"Of course you can, dear." Mom said.
"I can kill him?" I asked hopefully.
"Not you! Luna. She can go on the date."
"Uh-huh." Dad said.
"This isn't fair!" I yelled.
"Why not?" Mom asked.
"It-I-IT JUST ISN'T!" I yelled and stormed off angrily. I went to the common room and searched for Harry, but he was gone. He was probably in hiding. Who would know where he was? Ron or Hermione or Jasmine. I couldn't find either girl, but had a feeling I knew where Ron was. I went to his favourite passage for snogging with Peggy and sure enough, there they were. "Ron!" They sprang apart very quickly. It was funny but I was in no mood to laugh.
"Lupus!" Ron snapped.
"Where's Harry?" I asked, folding my arms.
"WHAT?!" He shrieked. "I don't KNOW! I'm a little BUSY here."
"Where's Harry?" I repeated.
"Lupus, go away."
"Once you tell me where Harry is."
"Okay, okay let me think." Ron closed his eyes. "I don't know."
"Then I don't leave."
"LUPUS!"
"I want to know where Harry is!" I snapped.
"Fine. Let's see if I can try this." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He suddenly collapsed into Peggy's arms, pale and trembling slightly. "He's at Hagrid's hut." He said.
"How'd you find out?" I asked.
"Forced myself to see." He said quietly.
"Ron! I thought you didn't like to do that and you haven't done any of that- " Peggy began but Ron slowly stood up.
"Yes I have. I've been seeing a bit of the future."
"Like what?" Peggy asked.
Ron smiled slyly. "Actually I saw what we would be doing about now and if Lupus will kindly leave, you'll find out as well."
Peggy giggled and blushed. "Lupus please leave."
"Sure thing." I had a feeling I wouldn't like to see what they would be doing anyway. I went to my dorm, bundled up, and went to Hagrid's hut. Sure enough, Harry was there.
"Hello Lupus." Harry said. I smacked him. "OUCH! Lupus?!"
"How DARE you ask Luna out!" I yelled.
"What?!" He demanded, leaping to his feet. "Why you little-" I easily dodged his fist and tripped him.
"You are going to cancel it."
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!" We began fighting quite fiercely. Hagrid's dog kept barking at us, and bounding about in circles. Hagrid pulled us apart. Both of us were dangling above the floor.
"Now then you two." He said, setting us down.
"I am taking Luna out on a date whether you like it or not!" Harry snapped, grabbed his cloak and stormed off.
"Sorry if I mussed up your house." I growled as I stormed back to the castle.
***
That Saturday, I stayed up waiting for them to return from Hogsmeade. They finally did and I held Luna's arm as Harry left. Luna did look quite pretty. Her hair in two braids, pulled in a bun at the back of her neck. She wore a deep, dusky midnight blue dress. Sleeveless with a too low cut neck. Okay, so it wasn't that low. It didn't even show any cleavage but it was still too low cut. The skirt ended at her knees and was loose.
"Why are you coming in so late?!" I demanded.
"Lupus. It's not even eleven." She said, pulling her arm out of my grasp. "Almost the entire common room is still up!" She pointed out. I looked around and realized this was true.
"Oh." I said slowly. "Right."
"Now may I please go?"
"No. Tell me what you did on your date." I said.
"We got drunk, had sex and now I'm pregnant." She said. I glared at her. "We had dinner, we talked, we came back. What do you think?"
"Did he make any moves on you?" I asked.
"No."
"Are you sure? Sometimes a guy can make subtle moves. Did he touch you anywhere?"
"My hand to help me out of the carriage, my arm taking me into the restaurant, my arm taking me back out and my hand helping me back out of the carriage, and my arm coming back here to the common room." She said.
"What all did he say to you?"
"I don't know! I can't recap the entire evening! Now let me go. I'm tired and want to get a shower and go to sleep." She turned on her heels and stormed off.
"And don't wear a dress like that again!" I shouted after her.
*** (Peggy's point of view)
"You staying here for the Christmas hollys?" Ron asked me as we sat in the Three Broomsticks, Saturday the fourteenth.
"Only if you are." I said, smiling.
"Yeah. Mum wants me to come home because of everything but I'm not. I'm staying at Hogwarts." He said.
"Then I am, too." I said. We were at a small table near the back, holding hands, our mugs of Butterbeer completely forgotten as we stared into each others eyes.
"I could look in your eyes forever, Peg." He said, rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb.
"I'll gladly let you." I replied.
"Hey look." I followed his gaze and saw Harry and Luna at a small table, chatting away happily. I also saw Jasmine and Hermione watching them with smuggy kind of happy looks. And Lupus with a sword-sharp glare at Harry.
"So what do you want to do?" I asked.
"Anything you do." He replied.
"Yeah sure. I know what you want to do." I said and he grinned.
"Okay, can you blame me?"
I giggled. "Once the Holidays come up, we'll have plenty of time."
"But that's another week away."
"Hey up, I just realized something."
"What's that?"
"I'll be the only Gryffindor sixth year girl left." I said.
"What?"
"Yeah. Jasmine really wants to spend the Holidays with the family that adopted her, so she's going there. Hermione is visiting Viktor Krum again. Lavender is going home.... so is Parvati. And Rose is going to her boyfriends." I said.
"Hmm." He said with a mischievous grin.
"Oh no. I know THAT grin."
"Oh really?" He asked.
I giggled. "Of course. Now I want to drink some Butterbeer." We finally let go of each others hands to sip the warming drinks.
*** (Sirius's point of view)
"Ack!" Trixie shrieked as I pounded her with a snowball.
"Take that!" I yelled, laughing.
"You'll get it, Sirius Black!" She shrieked and pounced on me. We went rolling down the hill in the snow. "Gotcha." She said after we stopped. She was on top and had me pinned.
"Got me." I said with a smile.
"You're not even going to try to escape?" She asked. I grabbed her collar, pulled her down and kissed her. She was surprised and I rolled over and had her pinned.
"Ha. Gotcha."
"Oh Sirius!" She said, laughing. She slid her arms around my neck, pulling me down and kissed me. "I love you." She said when we pulled apart. I smiled down at her.
"And I love you." We resumed kissing in the snow, both quite happy.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN- Matchmakers (Hermione's point of view)
November left and December came upon us with even thicker snow. Care of Magical Creatures, and Herbology had to be canceled. I was quite upset but probably the only one who felt like that. Jasmine thought with all the extra time it'd be perfect to start our plan with getting Harry and Luna together.
"So what do we do?" I asked her the evening of Tuesday the third.
"Well. I thought if they got stuck together a while they might talk and get to, you know, like each other." Jasmine said brightly.
"Okay...?" I asked.
"Just trust me. "
"How do we get them stuck together for a while?" I asked. Jasmine smiled and pointed to a door.
"That leads to one of the darkrooms. I'm going to take care of Luna, she likes me. You know since her dad is my godfather she's sort of a godsister."
"Okay so what about Harry?" I asked.
"That's what you need to do. Get him wanting to develop a photo or something.
"HOW?!" I demanded.
"Hermione, you're smart, you'll think of something. Just get him in there at.." Jasmine checked her watch. "In fifteen minutes."
"Fifteen? I need to think of this plan in fifteen min-oh okay fine." I turned and went to the common room. Harry was studying by the fire. "Hey Harry." I said, sitting down. He looked up and smiled.
"Hullo Hermione." He replied.
"Listen, I need a favour." I said.
"Okay." He shut his book.
"I have some photos I need developed and I don't have time right now to develop them." I said. "Will you? Please?"
"Sure, Herms." He held out his hand. I looked at him in confusion. "The roll of film?"
"Oh! Yes!" I ran upstairs and dug through my bags. I had a roll almost completely used up and gave that to him. "Oh yeah and make them moving." I said.
"Okay." He left and I sighed. There. I did my part. Now it was up to Jasmine to do hers.
*** (Luna's point of view)
"Jasmine... what is this big surprise you want me to see?" I asked as I was guided along the hallways, blindfolded.
"Trust me you'll like it." Jasmine said. I was stopped and my blindfold taken off.
"It's a door." I said.
"Go in." She urged.
"Why?"
"Just do it." She snapped.
"What's behind that door?" I asked. Since I hadn't been at the castle too terribly long I didn't exactly have all the doors memorized.
"You'll find out." I sighed and went in. It was a darkroom and someone was using it.
"Oh, sorry!" I exclaimed.
"It's okay. Oh, hi Luna." I saw it was Harry and felt slightly better.
"Sorry, your sister was.." I turned and tried opening the door but it couldn't. "Jasmine!" I shouted. No answer.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, coming over.
"This door is stuck." I said, jiggling the knob.
"Its never stuck before." Harry tried jerking it open but it refused. He pulled out his wand. "Alohomora." But that didn't help.
"Jasmine?" I called again, knocking on the door.
"Jasmine, if you are out there the door is stuck!" Harry called, pounding on the door.
"Is it?" Jasmine asked and I heard her trying to open it. "Wait there, I'll get McGonagall or Dumbledore or someone." I heard her retreating steps.
"I guess we just wait." I said with a shrug.
"I don't mind." He said and returned to the photos. I went over and looked at them. A lot were of him, Jasmine and Ron.
"Are these yours?"
"No, Hermione's. She didn't have time." He said and pointed at a few with the famous Viktor Krum in them.
"Ah." I leaned against the table and looked around. "How long do you think it'll take her?"
"Depends how fast she can find someone." Harry said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"I mean I'm not implying I don't like being stuck with you. Well not that I do like it. I mean, I don't like being STUCK but I don't mind being stuck with you." I said and frowned. "Does that make any sense?"
"Yeah, I seem to hang around people who don't make much sense. Not that you- I mean-"
I laughed. "It's okay." A few more minutes past and I checked my watch. "Maybe the door just needs pushing again." I went back over and jiggled the handle and pounded at the door. I pulled out my wand and said the charm for a knife to come out the end. I ran it along the edges and tried opening it again, but nothing happened. I made the blade disappear and sat down. Finally Harry was done and sat with me.
"Sure taking Jasmine a long time." He said.
"Yeah.... she probably saw her boyfriend and got off track." I said with a smile.
"Yeah she really likes that slimy Slytherin." He sneered.
"So let's see if I have this straight. He is your mortal rival and your sister's boyfriend?"
"Yep."
"Which came first? Sister's boyfriend or-"
"Mortal rival. He and I have had it out for each other since the train ride up here our first year." Harry said, playing with his watch.
"No wonder you really don't like her dating him." I said quietly.
"Yep."
"I wonder what Lupus would do if I dated his mortal rival." I said with a smile. "Come to think of it, he doesn't HAVE any."
"That narrows down your boyfriend prospects a bit." Harry said and I laughed.
"I don't really have any 'prospects'. I don't even know what I WANT in a guy. All these girls are like 'Oh I want a guy with loads of muscles' or 'I want a guy who can play the guitar' and blah-dee-blah." I shook my head. "It's annoying."
"Yeah. Every guy I know wants a girl to-" He stopped short.
"To what?" I asked.
"Um, nothing."
"What."
"To uh... well uh.." He went slightly red. "You know."
"Have the kind of body on girls that appear on Muggle science fiction or fantasy novels?"
"What?" He asked and I made curves in the air with my hands. "Oh. Yes. Man those kind of bodies are just-" Then went even redder. "But I mean I'm not like that at all! Well I mean I-well-the-" He sputtered, getting even redder. I kept giggled. "I mean, I'd choose a girl for her-personality is important to me, and a great mind and-I mean its not just a girls body that- what I'm trying to say is-well its very hard for a guy to not notice and- you see I don't care if a girls not-I mean its not just what she looks like that-well I just can't-I mean sure I notice a girls-but I swear I don't- girls just-well-I-excuse me while I go bury my head."
I finally stopped laughing. "That was one of the funniest things I've ever heard."
"Glad it entertained you." I noticed he was blushing the deepest blush I ever saw on a guy. But it was dark and I could of been imagining it.
"I know what you meant, Harry. Trust me. After being with Lupus when he first starting noticing a girls sex appeal, I kind of have to translate stuff like that." I said with a smile.
"I'm sorry if I offended you in any-"
"No, I wasn't offended." I assured him and he looked quite relieved.
"Good."
"I have a question."
"Yes?"
"How come someone as popular as you isn't hooked up yet?" I asked.
"I just haven't found any girl I really like." He said.
"You sure have the pick of the litter what with almost every girl flocking after you."
"Oh God don't remind me. That is so bloody annoying. Luckily its only bad after a dance is announced. Otherwise they mostly giggle and wave and smile and bat their eyelashes as they pass." He said, shaking his head. Suddenly the lights went out and we were plunged into darkness. I screamed and jumped in his lap.
"Oh my God! What happened?!"
"The lights went out." He mumbled.
"Why?!" I shrieked, throwing my arms around his neck.
"I don't know. What's wrong?"
"Nothing." I said quickly and began hyperventilating. "I'm afraid of the dark."
"I'll get a light on as soon as I get my wand out." He put his hand up to reach inside his robes. He pulled out his wand. "Lumos." I felt better as a soft light surrounded us.
"Thanks for the light." I got off his lap and huddled close. "I am so scared of the dark."
"How come if you don't mind me asking?" He asked.
"I don't. It happened when I was seven." I said, breathing hard. "Middle of the night. Lupus decided he wanted a drink of water. He left the room and the lights went out. I got a bit scared, but not really. But then I started getting even more scared. I decided to go get him but I couldn't find the door. I started getting panicked and searched everywhere but it seemed the door had disappeared. Of course I started imagining all sorts of horrible things. Lethifolds, Nightmares, Dementors. I fainted dead away."
"Oh." He said.
"I don't like the dark." I said quietly. I felt him put his arm around me and felt better. I rested my head on his shoulder and stared at the light. 'This isn't so bad'. My mind thought. 'Huddled up close in the arms of a really handsome famous guy who is a total HOTTIE!'
"Jasmine is taking her own sweet time." Harry finally said.
"Umm-hmm." I said quietly. I closed my eyes, feeling quite sleepy all of a sudden. "Wake me up when she gets here." And I fell asleep.
*** (Harry's point of view)
Luna's breathing slowed and I knew she was asleep. I was quite glad of that for I had been resisting the urge to kiss her for quite a few minutes. I don't know why. I didn't LIKE her. Sure, she's a sweet, smart, and intelligent girl. But I just didn't like her that way.
So why had I been wanting to kiss her?
*** (Jasmine's point of view)
I checked my watch and decided to give Harry and Luna a few more minutes.
"I used to play matchmaker all the time." Jason floated in circles around me. I smiled at him, and continued reading. "I do miss being alive but oh well. I mean, after being dead for quite a while you get used to it. I just wish I had died sometime in the school year and then you could come to my Deathday parties." He continued.
"Well someday I'll come to one." I assured him.
"You know the thing I regret the most?" He asked.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Marriage. Yeah, I wanted to get married and have a few kids. Not seven like Arthur, ofcourse, but a couple."
"Ah." I said, reading some more.
"Arthur and I had decided to try and convince one of our kids to name one of their kids after the other. You know, one of his grandkids being 'Jason Arthur Weasley the Fourth' and one of mine being 'Arthur Jason Weasley the Third'."
"Maybe he'll still convince one of them." I said.
"I'm a 'Third' you know. Jason Arthur Weasley the Third."
"I guessed." I said.
"Yeah. The first was our great-grandfather's cousin. Then our grandfather's nephew. Then me."
"Fascinating." I said.
"The first Arthur Jason Weasley was our great-grandfather's other cousin."
"Imagine that."
"Being dead gives someone a lot of time on their hands and I have been thinking." Jason floated over and sat down on my bed.
"Yes?" I asked. Jason usually rambled on like this and I was getting used to it.
"I decided if I were alive I'd have two sons and one daughter. I've always wanted two sons. I always wanted to name my firstborn son 'William Jacob Weasley the Fifth'. After our uncle, William Jacob Weasley the Fourth."
"Umm." I said, rolling my eyes.
"I had a crush on this one girl at school. Mary Dewhurst. She was really pretty. I was always too scared to talk to her. Extremely popular, you know." Jason rolled onto his back and went through my bed. He popped back up and sat back down. "I thought she'd snub me but during my funereal she confessed to my dead body she liked me. I always wonder what happened to her." Jason sighed and I knew he was about to continue on so I shut my book.
"Oh look at the time, time to let Harry and Luna out." I headed to the darkroom and used the reverse spell on the 'door jam' spell I had used on it. I found the two against the wall. Luna was asleep in Harry's arm. "Jasmine what took so long? Luna, wake up."
Luna yawned and opened her eyes. "Oh, Jasmine, what took so long?"
"I uh. got lost." I said. The two walked out and I frowned at the darkness inside. "What happened?"
"Lights went out." Harry said with a shrug. 'Hmm. wish I thought of doing that' I thought as I shut the door.
"Bye." Luna smiled and went off.
"So anything else happen?" I asked Harry as we headed to the common room.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Oh come on. You and her... stuck together in a dark room." I smiled at him and he began coughing.
"Nothing happened. We talked and she fell asleep."
"What did you talk about?"
"Stuff." He said.
"Okay then. Bye." I watched him walk off, and headed down the corridors, deciding what my next move for them would be. Boy this was fun!
*** (Remus's point of view)
"Remus..." I turned from the window and looked at Ivana who was tidying up our room.
"Yes?" I asked.
"I'm glad we're back together." She said.
"So am I." I said. She walked over and sat down.
"I love you so much."
"I love you." I replied. She was silent and I frowned. "Okay something's wrong."
"Nothing is wrong." Ivana insisted.
"Something is. I can tell. What is it? You're not happy?" I asked, worried.
"Oh I am extremely happy, Remus." She promised.
"Then what is wrong?" She turned her back to me and leaned back.
"If we were together when the twins were born what would you of suggested for names?" She asked.
"I don't know. Why?" I asked.
"I just was wondering." She mumbled.
"I like the names Luna and Lupus."
"Me too. But what would you of suggested for names?"
"Hmm, I don't know. Why?" I asked.
"I'm just curious." She said with a happy sigh.
***
"Jasmine this is stupid and it won't work." Hermione hissed in Jasmine's ear.
"Of course it will. Shh. He's coming." Jasmine turned to Hermione and nodded.
"I-" Hermione began but from the look on Jasmine's face, sighed. "So they were stuck together for a while?" She asked.
"Yep. It was so sweet when I opened the door. Luna was asleep in Harry's arms." Jasmine said. Hermione heard Harry just on the other side of the corner, and knew he was listening.
Hermione really hated to do this but what she was about to say the truth. "They'd make a perfect couple."
"I think so, too. But Harry is a thick-headed dolt and would never ask her. He couldn't see the perfect girl for him even if she was right under his nose. Which she is. Anyway, I found the book let's go." Jasmine grabbed Hermione's arm and they went down the corridor.
"You really think it will?" Hermione asked with a sigh.
"Of course. By saying what I did, he'll do it. Trust me. I know him."
"I've known him longer then you have and I don't think he will." Hermione said.
Jasmine shrugged. "I have a feeling he will. A sister feeling." She said and Hermione sighed.
"You are really enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Of course!"
*** (Luna's point of view)
"Hold it still, Lupus." I urged.
"I am!" Lupus insisted. I tipped more of the glitter in the end of the firecracker.
"It's spilling."
"It's not!" Glitter sparkled down to the floor.
"Told you."
"Luna!" I jerked and the rest of the glitter dumped.
"That was so not my fault." Lupus said and I glared at him.
"Yes?" I asked, turning to Harry who called my name.
"Listen, I need to talk to you. Alone." Harry said. I looked at Lupus and he sighed.
"Fine, I'll go work on these myself." He gathered the firecrackers and glitter, and went off.
"What did you need?" I asked as I cleaned up the spilt glitter.
"Listen, I was wondering..." Harry knelt down and helped me. "You know-well see its like-and I overheard Jasmine saying-well its not what she said what was so-listen I was wondering if-Luna would you like to go on a-a-a date." He stuttered. I stared at him.
"A date?"
"Yes." He said, looking rather nervous. I sat back on my legs.
"Well, I don't know..." I said slowly.
"I understand." He said quietly and stood up.
"Well its not that I don't WANT to!" I said, standing up quickly. "It's just I don't know."
"When will-will you know?" He asked, wringing his hands.
"I." I frowned. "don't know."
"Well, uh, let me, uh, know." And he quickly walked off.
Now what had brought all that on?
*** (Lupus's point of view)
"A WHAT?!" I yelled.
"A date. Mom, dad, can I please go?" Luna asked.
"No! You can't! Mom! Dad! Say no!" I shouted.
"Lupus shut up! You can't control my life." Luna snapped.
"I'm your older brother, ofcourse I can." I snapped back.
"Lupus. Luna is asking US." Mom said.
"Who asked you?" Dad asked.
"Harry, actually."
"I'll kill him." I said, folding my arms.
"Of course you can, dear." Mom said.
"I can kill him?" I asked hopefully.
"Not you! Luna. She can go on the date."
"Uh-huh." Dad said.
"This isn't fair!" I yelled.
"Why not?" Mom asked.
"It-I-IT JUST ISN'T!" I yelled and stormed off angrily. I went to the common room and searched for Harry, but he was gone. He was probably in hiding. Who would know where he was? Ron or Hermione or Jasmine. I couldn't find either girl, but had a feeling I knew where Ron was. I went to his favourite passage for snogging with Peggy and sure enough, there they were. "Ron!" They sprang apart very quickly. It was funny but I was in no mood to laugh.
"Lupus!" Ron snapped.
"Where's Harry?" I asked, folding my arms.
"WHAT?!" He shrieked. "I don't KNOW! I'm a little BUSY here."
"Where's Harry?" I repeated.
"Lupus, go away."
"Once you tell me where Harry is."
"Okay, okay let me think." Ron closed his eyes. "I don't know."
"Then I don't leave."
"LUPUS!"
"I want to know where Harry is!" I snapped.
"Fine. Let's see if I can try this." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He suddenly collapsed into Peggy's arms, pale and trembling slightly. "He's at Hagrid's hut." He said.
"How'd you find out?" I asked.
"Forced myself to see." He said quietly.
"Ron! I thought you didn't like to do that and you haven't done any of that- " Peggy began but Ron slowly stood up.
"Yes I have. I've been seeing a bit of the future."
"Like what?" Peggy asked.
Ron smiled slyly. "Actually I saw what we would be doing about now and if Lupus will kindly leave, you'll find out as well."
Peggy giggled and blushed. "Lupus please leave."
"Sure thing." I had a feeling I wouldn't like to see what they would be doing anyway. I went to my dorm, bundled up, and went to Hagrid's hut. Sure enough, Harry was there.
"Hello Lupus." Harry said. I smacked him. "OUCH! Lupus?!"
"How DARE you ask Luna out!" I yelled.
"What?!" He demanded, leaping to his feet. "Why you little-" I easily dodged his fist and tripped him.
"You are going to cancel it."
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!" We began fighting quite fiercely. Hagrid's dog kept barking at us, and bounding about in circles. Hagrid pulled us apart. Both of us were dangling above the floor.
"Now then you two." He said, setting us down.
"I am taking Luna out on a date whether you like it or not!" Harry snapped, grabbed his cloak and stormed off.
"Sorry if I mussed up your house." I growled as I stormed back to the castle.
***
That Saturday, I stayed up waiting for them to return from Hogsmeade. They finally did and I held Luna's arm as Harry left. Luna did look quite pretty. Her hair in two braids, pulled in a bun at the back of her neck. She wore a deep, dusky midnight blue dress. Sleeveless with a too low cut neck. Okay, so it wasn't that low. It didn't even show any cleavage but it was still too low cut. The skirt ended at her knees and was loose.
"Why are you coming in so late?!" I demanded.
"Lupus. It's not even eleven." She said, pulling her arm out of my grasp. "Almost the entire common room is still up!" She pointed out. I looked around and realized this was true.
"Oh." I said slowly. "Right."
"Now may I please go?"
"No. Tell me what you did on your date." I said.
"We got drunk, had sex and now I'm pregnant." She said. I glared at her. "We had dinner, we talked, we came back. What do you think?"
"Did he make any moves on you?" I asked.
"No."
"Are you sure? Sometimes a guy can make subtle moves. Did he touch you anywhere?"
"My hand to help me out of the carriage, my arm taking me into the restaurant, my arm taking me back out and my hand helping me back out of the carriage, and my arm coming back here to the common room." She said.
"What all did he say to you?"
"I don't know! I can't recap the entire evening! Now let me go. I'm tired and want to get a shower and go to sleep." She turned on her heels and stormed off.
"And don't wear a dress like that again!" I shouted after her.
*** (Peggy's point of view)
"You staying here for the Christmas hollys?" Ron asked me as we sat in the Three Broomsticks, Saturday the fourteenth.
"Only if you are." I said, smiling.
"Yeah. Mum wants me to come home because of everything but I'm not. I'm staying at Hogwarts." He said.
"Then I am, too." I said. We were at a small table near the back, holding hands, our mugs of Butterbeer completely forgotten as we stared into each others eyes.
"I could look in your eyes forever, Peg." He said, rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb.
"I'll gladly let you." I replied.
"Hey look." I followed his gaze and saw Harry and Luna at a small table, chatting away happily. I also saw Jasmine and Hermione watching them with smuggy kind of happy looks. And Lupus with a sword-sharp glare at Harry.
"So what do you want to do?" I asked.
"Anything you do." He replied.
"Yeah sure. I know what you want to do." I said and he grinned.
"Okay, can you blame me?"
I giggled. "Once the Holidays come up, we'll have plenty of time."
"But that's another week away."
"Hey up, I just realized something."
"What's that?"
"I'll be the only Gryffindor sixth year girl left." I said.
"What?"
"Yeah. Jasmine really wants to spend the Holidays with the family that adopted her, so she's going there. Hermione is visiting Viktor Krum again. Lavender is going home.... so is Parvati. And Rose is going to her boyfriends." I said.
"Hmm." He said with a mischievous grin.
"Oh no. I know THAT grin."
"Oh really?" He asked.
I giggled. "Of course. Now I want to drink some Butterbeer." We finally let go of each others hands to sip the warming drinks.
*** (Sirius's point of view)
"Ack!" Trixie shrieked as I pounded her with a snowball.
"Take that!" I yelled, laughing.
"You'll get it, Sirius Black!" She shrieked and pounced on me. We went rolling down the hill in the snow. "Gotcha." She said after we stopped. She was on top and had me pinned.
"Got me." I said with a smile.
"You're not even going to try to escape?" She asked. I grabbed her collar, pulled her down and kissed her. She was surprised and I rolled over and had her pinned.
"Ha. Gotcha."
"Oh Sirius!" She said, laughing. She slid her arms around my neck, pulling me down and kissed me. "I love you." She said when we pulled apart. I smiled down at her.
"And I love you." We resumed kissing in the snow, both quite happy.