Aaand yet again, another disclaimer: Okay, so I still don't own or claim ownership of any of the creations of JK Rowling. I am simply a person with a bit too much free time, creating my own idea of what could happen next. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not JK Rowling. So there.

A/N: Don't worry—I'm mad at Harry too right now.

Chapter Six: Hidden Problems

It was one of the warmer days of September, and Harry Potter stood outside his dormitory with an armful of books. He had just come from an Occlumency lesson with Professor Snape, who he loathed more than Voldemort on some days.

Harry was a firm believer that no matter how good he got at either potions or the art of closing his mind so that Lord Voldemort may not have access to it, Severus Snape would always look down on him like the old bat he was, sneering over his nose which was always a little greasy from his hair. Snape had hated Harry ever since he first stepped over the threshold of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. James Potter, Harry's father, had been an old school nemesis of Snape and to this very day, Snape still held a grudge.

Tonight, Harry had received at least 12 different books on how to perfect the art which is Occlumency, and was told he was to read four of them by the next meeting, a week later. He wasn't sure about how he was going to gain access to his dorm when his arms were so full of books, but thankfully Neville Longbottom opened the door to see Harry in a bit of distress.

"Harry!" he said, taking a few books off of Harry's load. "Let me help you with these."

Grateful for Neville, Harry made his way inside the dormitory, glancing at the reflection of sun off of Hedwig's cage. "Thanks, Neville!" Harry was relieved that Neville had been there. "I swear... extra potions with Snape are really going to kill me one of these days."

"I'm not taking potions this year," Neville reminded him for what must have been the sixteenth time. "It's not required anymore, is it?"

"No… it's not." Harry was indeed taking potions again, for he was aspiring to become an Auror when he grew up. His schedule was just as full as it was allowed to be, without having to be granted the use of a time turner. "But my career choice needs sixth AND seventh year potions… so McGonagall says I have no choice…" Harry sighed.

"I want to be a herbologist," said Neville. "But Gran said no. She said if I was too afraid of Snape to get a good potions grade, then I couldn't grow plants because it involves a lot of potion making as well. I guess I see why she told me I couldn't… I did fail potions last year. But I really wanted to be something, you know? Now I'll probably end up working in a greenhouse as the person that waters the venomous tentacula, rather than the person that calms it and extracts its poison for medicinal purposes."

Neville seemed to be talking a lot. It was almost as if he was stalling. Harry was about to go over to his bed when Neville stopped him, grabbed him by the arm and whispered in his ear, "I wouldn't go in there."

"Why not?" Harry asked, confused.

"Well, er…" Neville seemed unsure about what he was going to say. "I was leaving because Dean wouldn't stop insulting you, you know?" nervous, Neville looked at his feet. "I really admire you… but he thinks you stole his girl."

Harry's heart sank to his toes. "Well," he said. "I kinda did."

"Just be polite," Neville suggested, a little red in the cheeks. "I think I'm going to go look for Ginny. She wanted some help with her Herbology homework, and… well," if it was even possible, Neville's cheeks got redder. "She's really cute."

Harry laughed. "I knew you liked Ginny," he said. "I could tell ever since you took her to the Yule Ball."

Neville looked embarrassed, but he shrugged it off. "She liked you back then," he said in an almost bitter way. "She kept watching you…" Neville put his foot behind one foot and started kicking nervously. "I wanted to talk to her, but I didn't know what to say."

Harry nodded. "Well, it's good she doesn't like me now."

"She has a boyfriend," Neville cut Harry short right before he was about to start a sentence. "That Ravenclaw kid. But I don't care, I still want to talk to her and be with her as much as I can. Please don't tell Ron I like his sister. I think it might make him angry."

"He'd be okay if it were you," Harry was pretty sure he was right. "He didn't have a problem with your taking Ginny to the Yule Ball."

"Did you know her real name is Ginerva?"

"No, that's interesting."

"It's beautiful."

Harry was glad his friend was so interested in a girl. Hopefully it made him feel better about the fact that his parents didn't even remember his name, and when he went to visit them, his mother's greatest gift was a Drooble's Best Blowing Gum wrapper. Neville kept it every time. It was very sad, especially because Neville was so awkward about his relations to his parents. Harry could not imagine if Neville's grandmother died and what pain he would have to go through then. Harry had thought about it often, usually on nights when he felt hopeless about the state of the race in which he was unwillingly a part of.

Nodding at each other, Harry and Neville went their separate ways. Ginny was supposed to meet Neville down in the common room, and Harry was anxious to change out of his school robes and into something more casual.

Dean did give him a dirty look as he came in, but Harry approached him, feeling assertive. He did not want any discrepancies this year, and he would sort them out before they escalated into anything worse. "Look, Dean…" Harry said "I know there is no excuse for this, but I never knew you liked Sororia."

Tearing off his tie in anger, Dean said, "You were always a bit too busy sleeping whenever I talked about her," he said, looking as if he was close to tears. "I've adored her for years now… but I won't hold a grudge against you if you don't talk about her in front of me." Dean seemed rather bitter, but Harry knew he was trying his best to come to terms with Harry.

"It's a deal," promised Harry, shaking Dean's hand. He knew that they would be able to hold friendship in each other as long as Harry did not bring Sororia into his dorm at all. He wasn't sure if he could… especially since it could be a huge offense to bring a Ravenclaw girl inside the Gryffindor dormitory.

Dean nodded and Harry went behind his scarlet curtains to change his clothes. The first day of school had been a little bit stressful, even without Divination. He had dropped it, finally having his required amount. He and Hermione had gone to potions together, yet it seemed very awkward without Ron there. Harry was feeling very warm towards Hermione at the moment, for she had helped him concoct a very complicated potion, and Snape hadn't even noticed they'd worked together.

Snape seemed to be on a different planet lately. Even at Harry's recent Occlumency lesson, nothing was connected. Either Snape had forgotten to yell at Harry, or there was something on his mind when he was there. Even when Snape breached the boarder of one of Harry's worst memories, he had nothing to sneer upon.

And Harry was worried most of all about Dumbledore. He wanted to talk to Dumbledore ever since they returned to Hogwarts, but he wasn't sure why he didn't feel comfortable about it. Dumbledore had always had a welcoming arm at hand, and he never had any issues with conversing with Harry. Ever since he had told Harry of the prophecy last year, Dumbledore had not kept in close contact.

The one thing Harry was excited about was the moment in which he was living in. As he looked at himself in the mirror, he wished he could do something about his hair but he dared not try; Harry's hair had never failed to be messy on all occasions. Luna had promised to meet Harry outside the school, by the tree that sits closest on the edge of the lake. He was excited to speak with her again… maybe she would bring up Sororia in a fit of jealousy. That had been exactly what Harry was hoping for.

But on his way out of the common room, Sororia caught him by surprise. "Harry!" she said, almost embarrassed. "Sorry! Is your common room near here or something?"

"Er," said Harry.

"Great," Sororia never seemed to let Harry finish his own sentences. "Let's go for a walk. Shall we?"

"Well," Harry didn't know how to put it best. "I sort of promised to Luna Lovegood that I would go talk to her. I don't know why she wants to talk to me, but… she does."

Sororia made a face. "Luna Lovegood? The fifth year?" Sororia looked somewhat disgusted. "Well, let me come with you. Loony is in my house, so… I think if she goes crazy on you I might know how to deal with her."

Harry wanted to correct Sororia… he felt bad when people referred to Luna as "Loony." Luna had told Harry that it was silly in the previous year, and she had been right, of course.

"Great," Harry said, taking Sororia's hand as an act of being a gentleman. Not only had he never really had a great girlfriend with whom he could hold hands with, Harry wanted to make Luna even more jealous when he arrived with Sororia at the lake.

As they made their way outside, Harry and Sororia reflected smiles off of the cool September winds. The sun was shining over them, and yet the air still smelled of rain. It had been raining in the morning, but now they could not ask for nicer weather.

When they finally made it to the side of the lake, Luna was waiting there—as expected. She looked even more beautiful than Harry had ever seen her, even though she was still in her school robes. She was kneeling on the side of the lake, petting one of the tentacles of the giant squid that resides there. She did not notice Harry's presence until he cleared his throat, quickly putting an arm around Sororia.

"Oh!" Luna made a noise that could be referred to as a 'squeak'. It was very cute, and it made Harry feel silly, standing by the lake with his arm around Sororia. "Harry! I didn't know you were seeing Sororia Linguish."

Good. She had noticed.

Harry nodded. Sororia beamed, and Luna reflected that. "That's adorable," she said dreamily, wiping her lake-wetted hand on her robes. "But the reason I've called you here is secret. Please remove your arm from your girlfriend and bring your whole body over here to see me. Alone."

"Harry--" Sororia interjected. She obviously did not like the sound of what Luna said.

"It'll be okay," Harry assured her. "You'll still be able to see me, and if she does anything that you don't agree with, you can come take me away from her." Harry was feeling brave. "And then you may swipe me up and do with me what you please."

Sororia put a tooth on her lip and grinned. "Anything I please?"

Nodding, Harry couldn't believe what he was offering. "Anything."

Perhaps it was because Luna was there, or maybe Harry wanted some action once and a while. He had daydreamed enough—he was ready for big boy things… being sixteen and all. Luna had been watching but Harry doubted if she was paying attention. Her eyes were glazed over again, and she was looking just off the tip of the castle and towards the sky.

Harry considered it… would now be a good time to kiss Sororia? He had wanted to ever since he approached her that morning at breakfast. If he couldn't kiss Sororia, he'd have to at least kiss Luna. He didn't want to make Sororia mad. His palms were sweating.

Leaning over, Sororia saw what was about to happen and she met him halfway. Their kiss was sweet, and it made Harry strive for more inside. He did like Sororia. Even if it was just a little.

Their mouths came apart, and Harry watched as Sororia slowly opened her eyes, her lips growing wider in a smile. "Be quick," she said, reaching out to touch her lips as though she couldn't believe it.

Luna still hadn't been truly paying attention. When Harry grabbed her arm, she quickly took charge and led him a little further away from Sororia than he expected. He was hoping she would ask him about Sororia, but she did not even mention her. Instead, what was least expected, Luna asked, "Is Ron looking at anyone?"

Harry wondered exactly what she meant. "What—right now?"

"Girls," Luna put it simply. "Who is he interested in?"

Harry was taken aback, upset. "I don't know, Luna…" he told the truth. "In fourth year he was obsessing over Fleur, that girl in the tournament that was part Veela." Luna was nodding curtly. "But now, I don't know, he could like any one."

Harry did not want to tell her that Ron was definitely not interested in Luna, but it was true. He felt sad and betrayed that Luna was not interested in him, so he asked quietly, "Why do you ask?"

Luna smiled as if she was ready to giggle. "Well," she began, "Ron is exactly what I want in a man. I think you are fabulous but I really only came to the Dumbledore's Army meetings because Ron was there." Luna blushed. "I really trust you. I want you to help me. I don't want you to tell Sororia." She considered herself for a moment, then added "Interesting choice of female, by the way."

Harry didn't know if he should be complimented or offended. "Er, thanks."

"Well, thanks for your help anyway," Luna said, walking away. She took about three steps before she turned back around and said, "Good bye."

"What was that about?" Sororia asked as Harry made his way over to her.

"She just wanted help on her transfiguration homework," Harry lied. "She has an odd way of asking about it, and I'm not really the one to ask. I think I got a pretty bad grade in Transfiguration."

"Ah," said Sororia. "You know, it's pretty private by the gamekeeper's hut down there." She winked. "I'll bet Professor Hagrid won't mind us there at all. Isn't he teaching the seventh year class?"

"Yeah," Harry answered nervously. "Let's go."

Harry couldn't figure out why he was already engaging in such things with Sororia. Maybe it was how the sun hit her blonde hair just right, or how she smiled when Harry agreed to do something with her.

They began walking towards Hagrid's hut, and they saw that Hagrid was taking his class into the forest. It was indeed the beginning of their class, and Harry was suddenly glad that sixth and fifth year classes got out an hour early today.

Sororia clutched harder to Harry's hand. "Let's go inside," she suggested coolly.

Harry smiled at her and looked back one last time to make sure that Hagrid had indeed disappeared into the forest.