Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter.
mmelbear - thanks for the review High Serpent King - That's the best review EVER Starsmiles - Well, you would think so at first, but then you reflect that it's actually only been a few weeks since school started and then it makes more sense. It's just that a lot's happened in a short time. And as for your other questions? Well, you'll just have to find out, won't you?
Sorry if I missed anybody!
Chapter 19 - Playboy Extraordinaire at Work
Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and the Gryffindor Quidditch team were all standing around Ron and Harry in the infirmary. Hermione noticed with amusement that Luna and Parvati in particular seemed to be shooting each other spiteful glances but was too worried about Harry and Ron to think about it much. Pomfrey had diagnosed Harry as suffering from simple exhaustion, and said he should be up and about by tomorrow morning. Ron, however, would have to take a week to recover from all the horrible injuries he had sustained. Hermione had been wondering about who could have done this, but her thoughts kept coming back to one person in particular.
Park. He was Quirrell's cousin, wasn't he? Hadn't Quirrell pulled the same trick on Harry? He also taught everybody Defense Against the Dark Arts, was young, and reportedly well-traveled and uncannily powerful - it all fit. Except for the minor fact that Park had showed absolutely no signs of hostility and that you would figure Dumbledore would double-check every new teacher after the Moody/Quirrell/Lockhart fiascos. Logically, it simultaneously made sense and also no sense at all that Park would have done such a thing. Besides, Park was the teacher of the subject that saved Ron's life - without the four people's skills at wandless magic, Ron likely would have died. Which brought up another question.
Where was Dumbledore the entire time? In fact, Hermione had noticed that there weren't really many teachers at all there - in particular, the one's associated with the Order - Snape, McGonagall, and Dumbledore himself. What was Voldemort up to? And did Ron's bucking broom have anything to do with it?
Harry suddenly woke up, causing everyone except Hermione and Ginny to converge and surround him.
"Are you alright, Harry -"
"Don't worry about the game, rematch later -"
"You really did a great job with Ron, there -"
"What do you think that was about -"
"Shame you couldn't catch the Snitch -"
Pomfrey suddenly noticed the commotion and went to usher the team away.
"GO NOW, HE NEEDS REST!"
Everybody dispersed except Parvati and Luna, who seemed set on staying with Harry. Both Hermione and Ginny picked up on this and winked suggestively at Harry, earning a scowl from said Quidditch player. Pomfrey finally managed to push them out (forcibly), and the two sent one last glance of dislike to each other before stalking off in a bad mood. This was the trigger for Hermione and Ginny to start up at Harry.
"Harry Potter -"
"Playboy Extraordinaire of Hogwarts -"
"Women fall at his feet to worship him -"
"And refuse to leave his side -"
"Send him presents -"
"And singing Valentines," Hermione finished, causing Ginny to tinge pink at the ears. Harry's scowl deepened.
"Shut up, you two."
"What Harry, we're just observing the fact that you seem to be the object of many an adolescent girl's fantasy."
"How's Ron," Harry interrupted, changing the subject to something more relevant - and also less embarrassing. Both Hermione and Ginny's faces etched with worry and Hermione glanced back at Ron.
"He'll be alright in a week or so - he needs to recover. He injured a lot of his body," Hermione replied. "I'm more concerned about who did it." "We'll ask Dumbledore when he comes back, I suppose. Hopefully he has a lead." Hermione nodded, before talking again.
"Snape and McGonagall weren't there either - do you suppose something is going on with Voldemort?" Harry turned grim and he nodded.
"I suppose so." Hermione suddenly noticed that Harry still seemed very tired.
"Harry, you need your rest. We'll talk about this later."
Harry nodded before quickly falling asleep.
Hermione suddenly noticed that Pig was tapping at the window, obviously looking at Ron. Of course, Ron wasn't awake to deliver to, so Hermione simply grabbed the delivery. It was another edition of the Daily Prophet - but at least this one was the regular weekly one. Hopefully it wasn't another horrible attack. Hermione closed her eyes before opening it.
"Sixteen-year old Boy continues to terrorize wizarding community," Hermione read aloud to Ginny. "A reported eleven Aurors have been captured so far." Hermione sighed before throwing the paper down in exasperation.
"A sixteen-year old boy, they said?" Ginny asked. She had gone unusually pale. "What does he look like?"
"They said he was on the tall side, white, very dark hair, must be powerful." Ginny went even paler, if possible.
"Ginny, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing's wrong."
Harry braced himself for an ugly encounter in the Gryffindor Common Room. He had decided that today, he would break up with Luna. At breakfast, in fact. He wanted to get it over with as fast as possible. Luna was a great friend, but not a very good girlfriend - he just didn't have feelings for her in that way. A nagging voice in his head asked him who he did have feelings for in that way, but he ignored it and resolutely stepped out of the portrait hole. He saw her at the entrance to the Great Hall.
"Luna!" Luna turned around with a smile.
"Oh, hello Harry."
"Luna, I don't think we belong together. I just don't like you like that anymore."
Luna accepted the news calmly, almost impassively. Well, she always was odd, Harry thought to himself.
"Alright Harry. I'll see you around." Harry nodded and left towards the table, not noticing Luna bowing down her head, tears threatening to fall down her face.
"Hey, Hermione, Ginny," Harry greeted before grabbing some breakfast. The two of them were both looking at the staff table after they said hello. Harry followed their eyes to notice Dumbledore and McGonagall sitting there - and all looking extremely tired. Snape, for some reason, wasn't there.
"Wonder what they were doing," Harry murmured. Hermione sighed.
"Probably something to do with this," she said, throwing the latest Prophet on the table.
"Eleven Aurors!" Harry exclaimed in surprise. "What kind of sixteen-year old would be capable?" Ginny suddenly turned pale and excused herself from the table.
"Bye, guys, I'll see you at lunch - I'll be in the hospital wing." Hermione looked curiously after Ginny.
"Wonder what she's up to -"
"Hey Harry!" Parvati greeted cheerily.
"Oh hey, Parvati, can you pass the butter?" Parvati nodded and passed it over to Harry and their hands touched again. Harry felt that unusual shiver pass through that he had a week or two ago. Hermione turned to hide a smile and talked to Neville. "So, uh, Parvati," Harry started, his voice annoyingly a little high-pitched. "Thanks for helping with Ron yesterday."
"No problem," she replied, and sent a smile his way. Harry flushed annoyingly but smiled back. Hermione coughed and interrupted, and Harry felt an unusual anger at her rise up.
"Uh, guys, we should really be going to Charms now."
Harry and Parvati nodded before going up. Harry offered a hand (with a feeling that he was gaining a guilty pleasure) to Parvati, and again felt the shiver. What the hell? A drawling voice that Harry hated interrupted.
"My, my, Potter, you do seem to go through them fast. Dump one and then pick up another. Poor, deluded girls."
"You shut up," Parvati interrupted with an unusually vicious voice. McGonagall came to everyone's rescue.
"What's going on here?"
"Nothing, Professor," all four chorused. Malfoy didn't leave without a last insult whispered to Hermione, though.
"I told you Weasley would pay."
A slow chapter, but I loaded it with upcoming hints to keep it interesting for the lack of action. Anyway, I'll see you guys next chapter - The next few updates will be erratic as school will be starting tomorrow. I'll try to get into a pattern as soon as possible and inform you guys how often updates should come once I'm able to regularly gauge my homework load. Until then...
mmelbear - thanks for the review High Serpent King - That's the best review EVER Starsmiles - Well, you would think so at first, but then you reflect that it's actually only been a few weeks since school started and then it makes more sense. It's just that a lot's happened in a short time. And as for your other questions? Well, you'll just have to find out, won't you?
Sorry if I missed anybody!
Chapter 19 - Playboy Extraordinaire at Work
Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and the Gryffindor Quidditch team were all standing around Ron and Harry in the infirmary. Hermione noticed with amusement that Luna and Parvati in particular seemed to be shooting each other spiteful glances but was too worried about Harry and Ron to think about it much. Pomfrey had diagnosed Harry as suffering from simple exhaustion, and said he should be up and about by tomorrow morning. Ron, however, would have to take a week to recover from all the horrible injuries he had sustained. Hermione had been wondering about who could have done this, but her thoughts kept coming back to one person in particular.
Park. He was Quirrell's cousin, wasn't he? Hadn't Quirrell pulled the same trick on Harry? He also taught everybody Defense Against the Dark Arts, was young, and reportedly well-traveled and uncannily powerful - it all fit. Except for the minor fact that Park had showed absolutely no signs of hostility and that you would figure Dumbledore would double-check every new teacher after the Moody/Quirrell/Lockhart fiascos. Logically, it simultaneously made sense and also no sense at all that Park would have done such a thing. Besides, Park was the teacher of the subject that saved Ron's life - without the four people's skills at wandless magic, Ron likely would have died. Which brought up another question.
Where was Dumbledore the entire time? In fact, Hermione had noticed that there weren't really many teachers at all there - in particular, the one's associated with the Order - Snape, McGonagall, and Dumbledore himself. What was Voldemort up to? And did Ron's bucking broom have anything to do with it?
Harry suddenly woke up, causing everyone except Hermione and Ginny to converge and surround him.
"Are you alright, Harry -"
"Don't worry about the game, rematch later -"
"You really did a great job with Ron, there -"
"What do you think that was about -"
"Shame you couldn't catch the Snitch -"
Pomfrey suddenly noticed the commotion and went to usher the team away.
"GO NOW, HE NEEDS REST!"
Everybody dispersed except Parvati and Luna, who seemed set on staying with Harry. Both Hermione and Ginny picked up on this and winked suggestively at Harry, earning a scowl from said Quidditch player. Pomfrey finally managed to push them out (forcibly), and the two sent one last glance of dislike to each other before stalking off in a bad mood. This was the trigger for Hermione and Ginny to start up at Harry.
"Harry Potter -"
"Playboy Extraordinaire of Hogwarts -"
"Women fall at his feet to worship him -"
"And refuse to leave his side -"
"Send him presents -"
"And singing Valentines," Hermione finished, causing Ginny to tinge pink at the ears. Harry's scowl deepened.
"Shut up, you two."
"What Harry, we're just observing the fact that you seem to be the object of many an adolescent girl's fantasy."
"How's Ron," Harry interrupted, changing the subject to something more relevant - and also less embarrassing. Both Hermione and Ginny's faces etched with worry and Hermione glanced back at Ron.
"He'll be alright in a week or so - he needs to recover. He injured a lot of his body," Hermione replied. "I'm more concerned about who did it." "We'll ask Dumbledore when he comes back, I suppose. Hopefully he has a lead." Hermione nodded, before talking again.
"Snape and McGonagall weren't there either - do you suppose something is going on with Voldemort?" Harry turned grim and he nodded.
"I suppose so." Hermione suddenly noticed that Harry still seemed very tired.
"Harry, you need your rest. We'll talk about this later."
Harry nodded before quickly falling asleep.
Hermione suddenly noticed that Pig was tapping at the window, obviously looking at Ron. Of course, Ron wasn't awake to deliver to, so Hermione simply grabbed the delivery. It was another edition of the Daily Prophet - but at least this one was the regular weekly one. Hopefully it wasn't another horrible attack. Hermione closed her eyes before opening it.
"Sixteen-year old Boy continues to terrorize wizarding community," Hermione read aloud to Ginny. "A reported eleven Aurors have been captured so far." Hermione sighed before throwing the paper down in exasperation.
"A sixteen-year old boy, they said?" Ginny asked. She had gone unusually pale. "What does he look like?"
"They said he was on the tall side, white, very dark hair, must be powerful." Ginny went even paler, if possible.
"Ginny, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing's wrong."
Harry braced himself for an ugly encounter in the Gryffindor Common Room. He had decided that today, he would break up with Luna. At breakfast, in fact. He wanted to get it over with as fast as possible. Luna was a great friend, but not a very good girlfriend - he just didn't have feelings for her in that way. A nagging voice in his head asked him who he did have feelings for in that way, but he ignored it and resolutely stepped out of the portrait hole. He saw her at the entrance to the Great Hall.
"Luna!" Luna turned around with a smile.
"Oh, hello Harry."
"Luna, I don't think we belong together. I just don't like you like that anymore."
Luna accepted the news calmly, almost impassively. Well, she always was odd, Harry thought to himself.
"Alright Harry. I'll see you around." Harry nodded and left towards the table, not noticing Luna bowing down her head, tears threatening to fall down her face.
"Hey, Hermione, Ginny," Harry greeted before grabbing some breakfast. The two of them were both looking at the staff table after they said hello. Harry followed their eyes to notice Dumbledore and McGonagall sitting there - and all looking extremely tired. Snape, for some reason, wasn't there.
"Wonder what they were doing," Harry murmured. Hermione sighed.
"Probably something to do with this," she said, throwing the latest Prophet on the table.
"Eleven Aurors!" Harry exclaimed in surprise. "What kind of sixteen-year old would be capable?" Ginny suddenly turned pale and excused herself from the table.
"Bye, guys, I'll see you at lunch - I'll be in the hospital wing." Hermione looked curiously after Ginny.
"Wonder what she's up to -"
"Hey Harry!" Parvati greeted cheerily.
"Oh hey, Parvati, can you pass the butter?" Parvati nodded and passed it over to Harry and their hands touched again. Harry felt that unusual shiver pass through that he had a week or two ago. Hermione turned to hide a smile and talked to Neville. "So, uh, Parvati," Harry started, his voice annoyingly a little high-pitched. "Thanks for helping with Ron yesterday."
"No problem," she replied, and sent a smile his way. Harry flushed annoyingly but smiled back. Hermione coughed and interrupted, and Harry felt an unusual anger at her rise up.
"Uh, guys, we should really be going to Charms now."
Harry and Parvati nodded before going up. Harry offered a hand (with a feeling that he was gaining a guilty pleasure) to Parvati, and again felt the shiver. What the hell? A drawling voice that Harry hated interrupted.
"My, my, Potter, you do seem to go through them fast. Dump one and then pick up another. Poor, deluded girls."
"You shut up," Parvati interrupted with an unusually vicious voice. McGonagall came to everyone's rescue.
"What's going on here?"
"Nothing, Professor," all four chorused. Malfoy didn't leave without a last insult whispered to Hermione, though.
"I told you Weasley would pay."
A slow chapter, but I loaded it with upcoming hints to keep it interesting for the lack of action. Anyway, I'll see you guys next chapter - The next few updates will be erratic as school will be starting tomorrow. I'll try to get into a pattern as soon as possible and inform you guys how often updates should come once I'm able to regularly gauge my homework load. Until then...