AN: Where you see SECTION BREAK, well it's a little obvious right? If not, well the little asterisks didn't work in the last chapter, which has confused everybody so I'm changing how I do things.
In case you've forgotten, parseltongue speech is written like "&This.&" Okie?
I'm really upset that only one person reviewed the last chapter (thanks BTW) but I'm not one of those writers that puts 'If you dont review you dont get any more', because that's just stupid, I write for fun not because I have to. Writing is one thing I'm not going to stop doing and I just like a little guidance and help when you think I'm wrong also some reassurance that you like what you read? I know that this is a long story but it will be good in the long run.
I'm only writing this chapter now because of my best friend because she asked me earlier today to copy a story onto floppy disk for her so she can read my writing, which I thank her for because I know she can't stand Harry Potter! Thanx Lio, you're the best friend a person could have!
BTW, I am experiencing a little block on this story (hence why it took so long to write) and am thinking of postponing it for a while as my other ideas are developing greatly, I'll sill be updating but no as regularly which is also due to (the retched) schoolwork/homework/coursework. I still have about five pieces of coursework that was due in last term....
Chapter 10 – Love can be Tough
"The pair dismissed any 'Love Circle'... Potter verbally attacked the Daily Prophet calling it "Rubbish". Well it is." Hermione concluded after she read the article.
"Who wrote it?" Charlene asked curiously, Hermione frowned and looked back at the article, squinting to see the name in the smallest print imaginable.
"Jesse-Belle Pokeerin." Hermione stated.
"I'm surprised that it wasn't Rita Skeeter." Ginny muttered.
"Well she is a little bug which I only wish I could squash." Charlene said and unknowingly used her spoon to squish her pancake. Harry carefully took the spoon off of her after prying it from the colourmorphus' hand.
"Yeah, quite literally the bug." Ron said under his breath, Charlene looked confused but the others ignored it as mail came.
"Oh! That looks like a howler!" A third year exclaimed, some of the first and second year muggleborns looked confused and the elder students were surprised when it headed straight for the sixth year Gryffindors.
The red innocent looking envelope contrasted greatly with the jet-black feathers of the owl carrying it. The owl dropped it in front of Charlene, who quickly glared at both.
"Charlene?" Hermione said quietly, most eyes in the hall were on the group as Charlene grabbed the envelope and threw it high into the air as it started smoking. It then burst.
"CHARLENE LEANNE THERNEY WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING? I HAVE TOLD YOU THAT STARTING A RELATIONSHIP IS POINTLESS AS YOU ARE GOING TO CONTINUE YOUR CAREER! YOU'VE DEFIED ME BY NO LESS GOING OUT WITH THE MOST RAVING LUNATIC IN THIS WORLD! IF YOU DON'T STOP THIS FOOLISHNESS NOW I'M BRINGING YOU HOME!" Charlene fumed as the voice of her mother filled the hall and went bright red from anger. She stood and stormed out of the Great Hall, the owl following as everybody turned to look at the others.
"Well, I suppose that was new." Ron commented dryly, Hermione and Ginny both nudged him in the ribs with glares and then turned to Harry, who was sitting in his seat silently.
"Harry-" Hermione never got to finish her sentence because Harry stood abruptly and left the Hall.
"Oh bloody Merlin." Ginny muttered to herself.
SECTION BREAKThe morning had passed quickly though Charlene had missed first lesson and those passing the Gryffindor Tower could hear her shouting at her mother through the Floo System and had avoided the room at all costs during that hour.
They were now assembled outside of Hagrid's hut waiting for Care of Magical Creatures to begin. Charlene and Harry had stuck together during their lessons to avoid the snide comments from the other houses (mainly the Slytherin's) and hadn't strayed further than an arms width from each other in the time they'd had together that day.
"'Ello class." Hagrid's gruff voice boomed over the class, silencing them. "T'day we'll be headed fer the lake." He instructed and led them over there where they could see a small pen.
"What's in there Hagrid?" Hermione asked worriedly, thinking it might be some dangerous creature again.
"These Hermione are Danish Dragons." Hagrid told the smart girl along with the rest of the class as he stepped out of their view.
One had to admit the things did look cute. They were a dark creamy beige colour and the scales changed to a golden sandy colour in the glint of the warm autumn sun. The dragons were so small they couldn't have reached the size of a kitten and they were just as adorable too as they fell over their own two feet as they came over to the edge of the playpen excitedly.
"Oh! They're so lovely!" Charlene squealed.
"Well, yer gonna be getting inta groups of 'round four to be looking after these dragons during yer lessons and research 'em for yer term project." Hagrid stated.
"Do they bite?" One student asked.
"Nah, they might chew yer a bit though." Hagrid replied unconcernedly, the class looked worried. "Get inta yer fours then!"
SECTION BREAK"Wow Hagrid, that was a good lesson." Hermione complimented as he let the class off a little early to get cleaned up before their last class of the day. Hagrid blushed.
"Thanks Hermione." He replied bashfully.
"Where'd you get them from?" Harry asked. Amazed as he ran his hand over his new little friend's scales.
"Well, Michelle Keriney got them for me. Met a guy on her travels for the torch who dealt with dragons like these ones." Hagrid told them, then clapped a hand to his mouth, "Shouldn'a said that." He muttered.
"Michelle Keriney?" "Torch?" Hermione and Harry both asked at the same time.
"Yer late fer class, get with yer." Hagrid reprimanded hurriedly and walked off quickly towards his hut.
"I think he knows something." Ron stated.
"No kidding." Hermione muttered sarcastically as she picked up her bag and walked off, the other three in tow. "I'll head to the library after transfiguration."
"Oh goodie."
SECTION BREAK
"Hermione, we have practice." Ron stated as he tagged along after the young woman who was searching through each of the interesting books she came across.
"Go then." She replied, Ron rolled his eyes and grabbed her wrist, spinning her to face him.
"Come to practice or go to the common room or something! You can't spend all of your time in here." Ron told her.
"But-" Ron cut her off as his lips came crashing onto hers. "I-" Ron kissed her as she started to protest, again. "Fine." She muttered, Ron grinned and kissed her again, though Madame Pince, who coughed fakely and glared at them, interrupted the pair as the got more involved in each other.
"We should head to practice." Ron said breathlessly, Hermione giggled and pulled him out of the library towards the Quidditch pitch.
Before Ron ran to join the team he pecked Hermione's lips and the young woman headed up the stairs to join Charlene in the stands.
"Hey, were you having fun?" Charlene asked teasingly, Hermione poked her tongue out at her friend childishly.
"We were in the library." Hermione informed the colourmorphus.
"So Pince kicked you out then?" Charlene asked.
"It wasn't my fault!" Hermione exclaimed as she watched Ron zoom by, "I'm certain that the keeper is supposed to stay at the goals." She added with a small laugh.
"I thought that too." Charlene agreed, "So what did you learn about this Michelle Keriney woman then?"
"Not much." Hermione muttered defeatedly, "I'll try again later."
"Ron and Harry are right, you do spend too much time in there." Charlene chided.
"I only want to learn!" Hermione defended.
"Well just try spend more time out of there, it'll make you seem boffish."
"Hey!" Hermione exclaimed indignantly. "That's not fair!"
"But it's true!" Charlene retorted, "You spend too much time in there! I'm surprised Ron even puts up with your damn study habits! You're too much like a... a Ravenclaw!"
"There is nothing wrong with Ravenclaws!" Hermione shouted, "Are you just jealous? I'm smarter than you and am not some stupid bimbo model wannabe!"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me!" Hermione shouted, "You're just some stupid model and no doubt you are only dating Harry because he's a celebrity!" Hermione froze in shock and lifted a hand to the red imprint of a hand forming on her face. Charlene glared acidly at her and neither of them noticed Harry flying over to Ron to tell him about something and the team and other spectators watching them.
"I love Harry." Charlene said in a dangerously low voice, "I thought you were my friend, I was obviously wrong." She added and walked off. Harry and Ron had heard the last part and were severely confused. Harry took off after Charlene and Ron dismounted his broom on the stands and walked the small distance between him and Hermione. He looked down at her confusedly and she looked up with hurt in her eyes.
"What happened?" Ron asked soothingly, he placed his hand over the one on her cheek and slowly removed it to reveal the slap mark. "Why did she hit you?"
"Do you like me Ron?" Hermione asked tearfully, Ron looked shocked.
"Of course I do! Why do you need to ask me that?" He replied, Hermione just shook her head as tears cascaded down her cheeks and she leaned into his reassuring hold.
SECTION BREAK
"Charlene!" Harry called; he had thrown his broomstick in its holster on his back and had run after his girlfriend. "Charlene slow down!" He exclaimed and grabbed her wrist to turn her to face him. Tearstains marked her angry red cheeks as more tears poured from her eyes. "What happened?"
"Nothing. It was nothing." Charlene said with a shake of her head, not looking Harry in the eye.
"It's obviously something Charlene." He replied softly, "What's going on?"
"It was just a stupid argument." Charlene muttered. "Just a stupid argument." She repeated quietly to herself, Harry pulled her close to him as she started crying again.
SECTION BREAK
That evening saw only Harry, Charlene and Sara heading to see Remus, Alessandria and Jake as the girls hadn't talked to each other since their argument earlier that day and both had been oddly quiet, Hermione immersing herself more in her reading and Charlene sitting in front of a mirror absentmindedly changing colours. She now had dark skin the colour of chocolate and had chosen a coppery-orange shade for her hair, her eyes were cinnamon brown and each of her nails had different kanji on them in black on a white base.
Harry knocked on Alessandria's door and was happy to see who had opened it.
"Hey Tonks!" He exclaimed, Sara hugged the woman who looked scarily like Harry today with short messy black hair and bright green eyes.
"Wotcher big sister!" Sara said happily, Tonks laughed, shook her head and let them into the room.
"Wotcher Sara." Tonks replied, "So how are you guys?" She asked as Harry said hi to Remus and Jake.
"We're good." Harry replied, Charlene had yet to look up or detach herself from Harry as they both sat down on the remaining single seater, Tonks and Sara settled on the floor with Jake who was playing with a new monster truck toy.
"So how is practice for the next Quidditch match?" Remus asked with a smile.
"It's going good, except we missed most of today's practice." Harry stated.
"Oh? Why's that?" Alessandria asked curiously.
"Um..." Harry trailed off and looked at Charlene who had her head resting on his shoulder. "I don't actually know what happened."
"Yes you do." Sara said, "Charlene and Hermione had an argument, end of story."
"An argument?" Tonks asked.
"It was nothing." Charlene muttered, "Like Sara said, an argument."
"Why did you argue?" Alessandria asked, ignoring the teen's previous statement. "I don't mean to pry but I'm curious."
"We just did." Charlene answered shortly, still not raising her head from Harry's shoulder. Alessandria and Tonks shared a look with raised eyebrows.
"Charlene you sure you don't want to talk about it?" Tonks asked and the teen shook her head.
"It's nothing." She replied a little frustratedly as she lifted her head to glare at Tonks.
"Okay." Tonks said incredulously with a look of shock at the acid glare she had received from the normally kind girl. There was an awkward moment of silence where Jake made his way over to Alessandria and climbed onto her lap tiredly.
"So did you have fun in classes today?" Remus eventually asked the three students.
"I did!" Sara exclaimed with a smile, "In charms we learnt how to set things alight! And in DADA we were looking at dark creatures like dementors." Harry looked up sharply at this and looked at his sister incredulously.
"What?" He asked, then looked up at Alessandria, "I didn't learn about those until third year."
"These are dark times Harry, you should know that." Alessandria said quietly and she pulled her son closer to her. Harry nodded gravely as he thought of the Department of Mysteries again.
"I hope that they never send those to the school again." He stated, "And that I never have to go near one ever again."
"You've faced dementors?" Sara asked in a small voice in which Harry swore he detected some fear. He nodded again to confirm it.
"In third year and the summer before last." He told her, Sara looked hesitant before asking her next question.
"What happens when they come near you?" Harry felt Charlene stiffen against him and pulled her tighter to him. He'd told her of the dementors affect on him and the one time she'd faced a dementor back on a tour through England around the time of Sirius' escape, she'd heard the sobs of whom she presumed was her mother at a younger age, begging for somebody to come back, though she'd never told her mother this and therefore didn't know who she wanted to come back.
"You know about them sucking the happiness out of people and you worst memory right?" Sara nodded, "Well when I come across them I... I hear my parents before they died." Sara took a sharp intake of breath.
"You remember that long ago?" She asked.
"It's the only memory of them I have." He told her.
"What would my worst memory be then? If it's that bad? Could it be something that happened when I was a baby then?" Sara asked worriedly.
"Could well be." Alessandria stated. "A few years ago mine was my father fighting with my mother when I was about eleven, it was about me going to Hogwarts."
"Mine's me getting bitten, I was three at the time." Remus told them.
"Mine's set when my Dad died, in a car crash." Tonks told them. They all looked at Charlene.
"I think it's my Mum crying, it's definitely a woman." She said softly as she looked up at them all. "She's crying about somebody leaving, I'm not too sure though, she's just begging God and the Higher Beings to let her have him."
"Have you asked your Mum about it?" Tonks asked curiously, Charlene shook her head.
"I wouldn't dare."
SECTION BREAK
Ron and Harry were getting sick of their girlfriends behaviour towards the other though didn't know how to handle it. The tension got worse in the days leading up to the Quidditch match as Ron, Harry and Ginny all had practice so the two girls were left on their own during those times, though they obviously preferred to stay alone then confront each other.
SECTION BREAK
Amidst the crowds of people waiting for the match to begin, Hermione sat on her own in one corner of the Gryffindor stands.
"Could I sit here?" Somebody asked quietly, Hermione looked up from her book at the burgundy and golden haired young woman and nodded in acknowledgement before going back to her reading.
"Hermione... I'm sorry." Charlene said timidly, it had been two weeks since their argument and both girls had avoided each other at all costs, it was now, during the first Quidditch match of the year that they were going to make up.
Hermione sighed and closed her book as Charlene made herself comfortable next to her.
"I'm sorry." She told the colourmorphus, "I shouldn't have called you a bimbo." She paused for a moment, "Or accused you of... using Harry."
"And I shouldn't have taken the mick out of you because you want to do well in school." Charlene stated, "Can we go back to how things were before?"
"Friends?" Hermione asked, Charlene nodded with a smile.
"Friends." She stated and they shared a brief hug before the game began. They watched as Harry and Malfoy desperately tried to damage the others hand as they were told to shake and then the quaffle was thrown upwards, the game starting.
"And they're off!" Litarina Dizman, a friend of Katie's from her dorm, stated. She was the new commentator and according to Katie 'Had an eye for the men'. "Gryffindor in possession, Macdonald passes to Bell, to Weasley (and that's Ginny not Ron), and back to Bell- WATCH OUT GIN!" Litarina exclaimed as a bludger hit Ginny's arm as she reached out to fake taking the quaffle from Katie. "YOU SCUMMER GOYLE!" Litarina shouted angrily as Ginny steered back on track, the girl ignored the pain and carried on playing, despite the crowds shouting and Harry's instructions to land.
"MISS DIZMAN!" McGonnagal shouted and reached to take the microphone from Litarina.
"I promise I won't be horrid about those slimy snakes anymore Professor!" Litarina exclaimed as she took the microphone out of the professor's reach. "Anyways, Ron's gotten better this year... definitely got a better backside-"
"Dizman!"
"Sorry! It's the truth! So Slytherin in possession, Blaise Zabini in possession, what is it with those idiots? Blaise is actually the first girl on their team for over two centuries, girl power Blaise! Back to the game, Zabini passes to Warrington, Warrington to Pucey though intercepted by Ginny, Weasley to MacDonald, MacDonald to Bell oh! No! That was a fake shoot, great going Nat! Fooled me! MacDonald to Weasley, who shoots and YES! GO GINNY!" Litarina exclaimed as Ginny got the quaffle through the right hoop past the Slytherin keeper Bletchley. Slytherin were booing whilst all the three other houses were cheering for the Gryffindors. "Gryffindor ten, Slytherin zero! Go Gryffindor! Slytherin in possession, Zabini's shooting up the field with that quaffle, wow! Go Jack." Litarina appraised as the fourth year sent Blaise Zabini careening off course as a bludger smacked into the back of her broom. "MacDonald back with the quaffle, she passes to Bell, back to MacDonald, she shoots and NO! Saved by Bletchley! Nice try though Natalie! Warrington passes to Pucey, back to Warrington, to Zabini who shoots- RON BLOCK IT!" Litarina screamed through the microphone as the quaffle went flying out of Ron's reach, "Damn! With the Slytherin's you have the bulky people and on the Gryffindor's team you have the fit dudes who can't do anything! I bet it's those girlfriends, I know where you are when you're late for practice boys." Litarina stated mockingly and laughed slightly when she saw Ron and Harry blush, Harry shot past the teachers stand and threw one of his gloves at the girl, "And how much could I get for this smelly glove on ebay then Harry?" She called.
"Back to the game please Dizman." McGonnagal said, Litarina nodded.
"Right, Weasley passes to MacDonald, MacDonald to Bell, Bell to Weasley, Weasley fakes a left turn and chucks it at MacDonald, damn those idiots fell for it! MacDonald shoots and scores!" Cheering once again came from three of the stands. "Pucey with the quaffle, passes to Zabini and- wait a second, what's Harry doing?" Litarina's attention turned to the raven-haired teen clad in his Gryffindor robes being chased on broom by somebody of the exact opposite. Harry's was zooming upwards before he pulled into a steep dive quite quickly. "Is this one of his famous Wronski Feints? Or has he seen the snitch?" Litarina asked herself and the crowd, though she screamed loudly as she saw Harry pump his fist into the air. "The snitch! Harry has the snitch! One-hundred and seventy to Gryffindor!"
SECTION BREAK
"Our foods running out!" Sara complained to Harry, who grinned,
"Aren't you supposed to be in bed?" He asked, only him, Sara, Charlene, Hermione, Ginny, Dean, Ron, Neville and Seamus were still downstairs at quarter to twelve. Sara poked her tongue out at him.
"Actually, I agree with him, you should be in bed." Hermione stated, Sara rolled her eyes.
"Please let me stay down here! It's the weekend!" Sara exclaimed.
"Sara, Auntie Karla will kill me if she knows that I've let you stay up this late." Charlene said tiredly.
"I won't tell if you don't." Sara suggested.
"Bed." Hermione said firmly, Sara rolled her eyes again and got up from the floor before heading up to her room. "I think I might head up also, I have a lot of research to get done tomorrow." She added as she stood. "Night."
"Night." The others said and Hermione kissed Ron before heading up the girls' staircase.
"I'm gonna head up t-t-too." Charlene said around a yawn.
"I ditto that." Ginny muttered and both girls stood and left.
"Maybe we should head up too?" Neville suggested, the others nodded sleepily and went to bed, leaving Harry downstairs.
"Aren't you coming?" Ron asked, Harry shook his head.
"I have something to do." He stated and held up his invisibility cloak, Ron nodded and followed the others up the stairs, leaving Harry in the silence.
"Are they gone yet?" Charlene asked quietly from the stairs, Harry grinned and nodded before kissing her passionately on the lips.
"The Astronomy Tower is said to be beautiful at this time of night." He said suggestively, Charlene giggled and kissed him again as he brought the cloak around them.
The couple were silent as they manoeuvred around the halls, Harry regretted not picking his map up as they heard two people arguing their way towards them. Sinking into the shadows the pair recognised the voices.
"It's none of your damn business!" Alessandria shouted as she started down the corridor.
"It is my business if my sister is dating a monster!" Snape retorted, red in the face.
"I'm not dating him and he's not a monster!"
"He's a werewolf!" Snape accused.
"And? I love him Merlin-Damnit!" Alessandria exclaimed, "It doesn't matter to me! I've always loved him and I know he loves me so stay out of my social life for once!"
"When your social life revolves around that werewolf and Potter visiting you every night I will get involved! Potter is just like his father you realise? Is that why you give him privileges?"
"Do not change the subject!" Alessandria shouted, "Why couldn't you ever accept the fact that I loved and still love him?" She asked as they reached the end of the corridor, Harry looked to Charlene.
"Let's not tell the others about this?" He asked, Charlene nodded and they headed back for the Common Room, not feeling up to looking up at the stars (among other things) that night.
SECTION BREAK
AN: BTW, Danish Dragons? I made these up and I'd love it if you asked permission before using them!