Chapter Nine: Hogsmeade Holiday

That weekend was a Hogsmeade weekend, so the students could finish up their Christmas shopping. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were in much better moods than they had been all week. Hermione had apologized to Ron, Ron knew why Harry was acting so oddly, and Harry was in love...kind of...

Despite the last bit being unnatural, they were all quite cheerful. There was fresh snow on the ground, and carolers were singing 'God Rest Ye Merry Hippogriffs,' and 'Oh Come, All Ye Fwoopers.'

Their first stop was Honeydukes, where they picked up their monthly supply of sweets, before splitting up to buy each other's gifts. Harry headed for the Quidditch shop. He examined the items, looking for something to buy for Ron. He settled on a nice pocket watch that would yell out the scores for whatever Chudley Cannons game was going on at that moment. He knew Ron would love it; Ron was constantly complaining about not being able to keep up with his favorite team.

For Hermione, he went into the bookstore, quite an obvious decision, and he was surprised to see Professor Wilkins flipping through a large book on werewolves.

"Hello, Professor," he greeted.

"Tory," she said, automatically.

"What?" he stammered. She looked up and smiled at him.

"My name's Tory. None of this 'Professor' business. It makes me feel old. I'm only four years older than you, you know," she said, grinning. "Good to see you, Harry! Getting your Christmas shopping done, I suppose?" He nodded, still looking suspiciously at the book. She smiled, knowingly, and held it up so he could see the title. "Werewolves That Made a Difference: Werewolves that have changed history for the better, and how they did it without the Ministry screwing things up." She grinned. "It's quite a fascinating read. I was looking for Quidditch Through the Ages, because I'm afraid I've worn mine out completely, but I saw this and thought it would be perfect for an old friend of mine. I believe you know Remus Lupin?" Harry nodded.

"Yes. He taught us in third year. He was best friends with my father." She nodded.

"Yes, well, he got me out of a rather tight spot once when I was in Bristol, and we got to be good friends. I think he'd find this rather amusing. It was written by a werewolf, actually." Harry nodded.

"It does look like something he'd enjoy. Good choice." She nodded. She was scrutinizing him, he could tell. She was just looking at him, without saying anything. Suddenly, her eyes widened, slightly.

"Harry..." she said, slowly. Harry looked up. "Um...Ah, never mind. I'd best be off. Lost of Christmas things to buy." She purchased the book and hurried out of the shop looking rather worried. Harry stared after her, then shrugged, and began looking for a book for Hermione.

He found one that was titled Hogwarts, an Unraveling: A look on the secrets of Hogwarts that were not revealed in my first book, Hogwarts, a History. Harry snickered at the title, purchased it, and then headed for the Three Broomsticks, where he was supposed to meet Hermione and Ron for lunch.

"Hey, mate!" Ron said, as he sat down. "I saw Hermione going into some creepy book shop. Let's hope she doesn't come out with some massive book on trolls, or something, eh?" Ron teased. Harry nodded.

"Did you know that Tory is friends with Lupin?" Harry asked.

"Who?"

"Professor Wilkins," Harry corrected, quickly.

"You're on first name terms?" Harry rolled his eyes. "She knows Lupin, eh?" Harry nodded. "D'you think she's part of the Order?" Harry shrugged.

"Could be. But I got the feeling they're more than friends, you know?" Ron's jaw dropped.

"You think she's Lupin's girlfriend!" Harry nodded. Ron sat back in his chair and took a swig of Butterbeer. "Wow. Lucky Lupin..." Harry snorted.

"Honestly, Ron..."

"What? She's pretty! If you weren't under some stupid love potion, you'd think so, too!" Ron said, defensively. Harry grinned.

"Yeah, but you don't have the greatest luck with women," Harry replied, thinking of Fleur Delacour, whom Ron had had a crush on in their fourth year.

"Hey, I landed you, didn't I? That's what half the female population is after," Ron said, shrugging. Harry punched him on the arm.

"I am not a girl!"

"No, but you definitely punch like one." Harry growled at Ron, but Ron just laughed. "Look. There's Hermione," Ron said, before Harry could chuck his Butterbeer at Ron. "And she's got a massive book, too. I told you!"

"Hey, 'Mione. What's with the book?" Harry asked as Hermione sat down with a Butterbeer.

"It's a book on love potions. Ones that aren't in the Hogwarts library. I figure it probably would have something useful. Did you all get your shopping done?" she asked. They nodded.

"Yeah, but I want to stop in Honeydukes. I'm all out of Sugar Quills," Ron said, his eyes glazing over, slightly, at the thought of the sweet shop. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Well, alright, but let's eat, first. I'm starving."

They had a delicious lunch, and then headed for the notorious candy store. While Ron was deciding what to buy, Harry dragged Hermione aside. "Hey, 'Mione, when I was in one of the shops, I found Tory--Professor Wilkins. We got to talking, and then she just studied me for a moment, and then her eyes got wide, and she dashed off!" Hermione pursed her lips as she watched Ron stagger to a corner, where he was piling up sweets.

"Hmm...Well, Professor Wilkins is very skilled in potion-making. Some skilled potion masters can detect when someone is under the influence of a potion, and then the most skilled can determine what type. Perhaps she detected that you were under a love potion," Hermione finished, thoughtfully.

"Do you think so? What if she went to Professor Dumbledore, or McGonagall? Oh, that would be mortifying. Absolutely awful. It'd be so embarrassing. You know how word spreads around here! Everyone would know that I'm in love with Ron before the week is out!" Hermione chuckled.

"Well, she'll probably come to you, first. Professor Wilkins is straight out of school, practically. She still understands the teenage mindset. I'm sure she'll talk to you before she goes to the Headmaster," Hermione said, assuredly.

"I hope so..."

"Are you guys ready?" Ron said, coming over with two bags full of sweets. Hermione clucked her tongue, disapprovingly, but Ron ignored her.

"Yeah, let's go. Besides, we have Quidditch practice."