Chapter 2- The Marauders
Harry's head ached, as he sat up in bed. He put his glasses on, before walking over to the window. The sky was the brightest blue Harry had ever seen, and it was dotted with fluffy white clouds. Harry couldn't help but smile.
He walked back over to his bed, and picked up his wand, before turning back to double check. There were only four beds in the room. Four beds. Either someone had moved their bed without Harry noticing, or he was in the wrong room. Come to think of it, he couldn't even remember coming to bed last night. His stomach churned.
He looked around the room for some evidence. Dean's football posters were up on the wall, and Ron's chocolate frog card collection laid scattered on the floor, next to what appeared to be a pair of Seamus's socks. This was enough evidence for Harry.
He walked over to his wardrobe, and opened both doors. Inside was a wide range of fashionable muggle clothing, and wizards robes. Harry closed the doors, and wondered what was going on. Someone had moved his clothes as well. He checked the other three wardrobes, but none of them contained his clothes. He looked under his bed too, but his scruffy jeans and plain t- shirts, were nowhere to be found.
He walked over to his wardrobe, and chose an outfit. A pair of neat black jeans, and a deep green shirt. He put them on, not caring who they belonged to, then took a look in the mirror. He looked cool. Whoever the clothes belonged to, was about the same size as Harry. Harry figured they were probably Seamus's, but it didn't matter whose they were. Harry couldn't find his clothes, so he would have to borrow some, and he knew none of the boys would mind. They probably wouldn't even notice.
Harry moved away from the mirror, and went over to his desk, looking for his potions essay. It wasn't there. He moved books, parchment, letters, the essay wasn't there. Harry started to panic. He had quidditch tryouts soon. He didn't have time to redo the potions essay. Harry started to pick up random things off the desk, and toss them onto the floor, searching. He stopped when he came across a framed photo, which made his blood run cold.
It was a photo of himself and his father. Harry looked to be in his mid teens, and his Father looked like he was maybe in his late 30s. He looked like Harry always imagined he would, judging by the few photos he had. This made no sense at all. Harry stared long at the photo, yet it gave him no answers, only puzzled him more. He wondered how someone could have done this photo. His father was dead.
Harry placed it carefully back on his desk, and crept away from it slowly, as if daring it to disappear. When it didn't, Harry took at seat at his desk, and looked over the picture once more.
It was a head and shoulder shot, and in the background was what appeared to be a forest. James Potter had his arm playfully around his son's neck, and was holding him in a sort of head lock, but he didn't seem to mind. He wore a large grin on his face, and a sparkle in his eye. His face was full of light summer freckles, and his hair was gelled.
Harry rubbed his head. He never wore gel in his hair. He looked over his desk, and found a large blue pot, labeled 'Mickey's Messy hair gel.'
He walked over to the mirror, and applied some to his unforgivable sticky up hair. The gel made his hair spring up, and look like he had just rolled out of bed. Harry compared himself to the picture. It was identical.
Harry sat down on his bed, unsure of what to do. Was he loosing his mind? Was everything a dream? Or a joke? He tried to think back to the last thing that happened the night before. He'd been doing his potion essay, not that that seemed important anymore. He'd borrowed Hermione's time turner, said goodnight, and walked over to the window. It all came flooding back. The star. He'd wished Voldemort had never gone bad, thrown the time turner, and collapsed.
Harry stood up and held his breath, realizing where he was: A world where Voldemort had never turned bad.
Harry breathed out, daring himself to wake up, to find out it was all a dream. It wasn't. Unsure of whether to be ecstatic or terrified, Harry grabbed what he assumed was his ruck sack, and rushed to the Great Hall.
He made his way through the corridors. He was sure of where he was going, but something made him uneasy. Something didn't feel right. He took a good look around him, and realized what was different. Everyone was smiling. People were chatting animatedly in group. People cheered, squealed, and hugged their friends. There were couples holding hands, which was strange to Harry. There were not many couples at the Hogwarts he knew. People were too busy worrying, to bother about that kind of thing.
Everyone was so relaxed, and happiness was like a contagious disease. Gradually everyone caught it, even Harry.
He arrived at the Great Hall with a smile on his face, before realizing he didn't know who his friends were. Maybe Hermione had been right, and they hadn't all made friends. Harry's thoughts were answered, when he heard people calling from the middle of Gryffinor table.
'Potter!'
'Hey Harry!'
'We're over here, Prongs!'
Seated in the middle of the table, calling him, were Dean, Seamus and Ron. They didn't look like the friends he remembered. Each of them looked confident and cool, with an air of cockiness, yet the surrounding students didn't seem to mind. Girls around the table were gazing lovingly at them, and boys were trying to gage them in conversation. Harry walked over, and took a set next to Ron, before realizing what he'd been called. Prongs. How did Dean and Seamus know about the Marauders? He pushed thoughts like that from his mind, and helped himself to some breakfast.
'You feeling alright mate?' Dean asked.
'Fine.' Harry said, although he wasn't sure if you could call what he was feeling, fine.
'You sure Prongs?' Seamus asked. 'You're not eating half as much as you usually would.'
'Now you mention it, I am feeling a little off color.' Harry lied, looking down at his plate.
'Well cheer up mate, its Saturday after all.' Ron smiled.
'Yep. Lots of pranking to do, eh Padfoot?' Seamus grinned.
'I reckon so.' Ron said, as he helped himself to more bacon.
'So what's in the bag, Prongsie?' Dean asked.
Harry looked down at his ruck sack, realizing he had no idea what it contained.
'Oh, don't ruin the surprise.' Ron cut in, before Harry could speak. 'I'm sure Prongs has a plan all figured out, right?'
'You could say that.' Harry grinned uneasily, as the boys cheered, and Ron patted him on the back.
'Well, should we meet up later then?' Seamus asked, Harry.
'Yea, erm, we'll meet after lunch, by the lake.' Harry stammered.
'Sounds good.' Dean said, nodding his head. 'We usually meet up inside, so nobody will suspect anything.'
'Yea.' Harry said, unsurely. 'That was my plan.'
'Sounds good.' Ron grinned.
'Well we have some business to attend to, don't we Wormy.' Seamus said confidently, as he stood up from the table, and bent over to retrieve his bag. 'Ouch!'
'What's the matter Moony?' Dean asked.
'My back still hurts from Quidditch practice last night.' Seamus explained. 'Try and go a little easier on us next time, Prongs.'
'Sure, will do.' Harry said, uncertainly.
'Well we really have to go.' Dean said, standing. 'We have to help the Patil twins with their Charms homework.'
'But you two aren't very good at Charms, are you?' Ron said, raising and eyebrow.
'No, but who cares!' Seamus exclaimed. 'We scored twins! Twins!'
'Well me and Harry are going too.' Ron chuckled. 'Some good fresh air is all Prongs needs to wake him up, I'm sure.'
Ron stood up and left the Great Hall, with Harry trailing behind him. Eyes from every direction, watched the boys leave the hall, which made Harry feel very uncomfortable. Once Harry had caught up with Ron, they were outside. The two boys walked in silence, to what had been their favorite spot in the old world, by the lake. Harry wondered if it was a coinsidence that the were coming down there, but didn't have too long to dwell on it, before Ron spoke.
'Nice day, eh mate?' Ron said confidently, as he sat himself on the grass.
'Sure is.' Harry said honestly, and sat down beside Ron. He couldn't disagree. It was a lovely day. They sky was always gray in the old world, as if reflecting the moods of the people under it.
'When's the last time it's been as bright as this?' Ron asked Harry, in a would be casual voice.
'I couldn't honestly tell you.' Harry sighed.
'Look at those girls.' Ron grinned cheekily, pointing to a group of Hufflepuffs, paddling further down the lake. 'So how many of those have you kissed?'
'I don't kiss and tell.' Harry said, slyly.
'Fair enough.' Ron said, and he seemed satisfied with his answer. Harry sighed. It was getting too close for Harry's liking. He wondered why Ron was questioning him. Had he noticed a difference? Harry put these thoughts to one side, as Ron didn't notice what was right under his nose.
'Harry, when is that potions essay you were working on last night, due in?' Ron asked, casually.
'Monday, of course.' Harry said, then jumped at his mistake. He hadn't been doing potions last night in this world, he'd been at Quidditch practice, like Seamus had said. He was about to make up an excuse, when Ron spoke.
'Harry, is it you?' Ron asked, unsurely.
'You mean?' Harry questioned. 'Are you? What were you doing last night?'
'I was in the common room with you and Hermione.' Ron explained. 'We talked, and packed up to go to bed, and then-'
'Everything went black.' Harry smiled, finishing his friends sentence.
'Oh, I am so glad its you Harry!' Ron exclaimed. 'I was petrified! I thought I was the only one who...who...what's happened to us Harry? What's going on?'
'I don't know.' Harry said, in earnest. 'Your guess is as good as mine. I only know what happened last night.'
Harry went on to explain about the star and the time turner, then what had happened earlier that morning.
'Well everything makes a little more sense now.' Ron beamed. 'I thought I was going nuts! I woke up this morning in my quidditch robes, and the last thing I could remember was talking in the common room. Then I found all new clothes in my cupboard. In this life I'm rich, Harry!'
For the first time, Harry noticed what Ron was wearing. He wore trendy navy blue jeans, a dark blue vest top, and smart trainers. He also had his hair gelled in spikes.
Harry grinned, remembering what he had done to his hair too.
'Yea, I spiked my hair.' Ron grinned. 'Dean and Seamus seemed to be doing weird and wonderful things with their hair, so I thought I'd better too. What's up with your hair? You worried me this morning when I saw you with your hair different. I thought you were a different you!'
'Oh, I just found some gel on my desk.' Harry explained, missing out the part about the photo. 'So how come we dress differently in this world? And why was everyone staring at us?'
'We're different people in this world.' Ron said, laying on the grass. 'We're cool and popular, from what I can gather.' Ron picked at a blade of grass, before asking: 'What are we going to do about being here?'
'Well I say we hang around for a bit.' Harry said, laying next to Ron. 'So tell me more about the other us's.'
'I'm rich, I'm rich, did mention I'm rich?' Ron exclaimed, his whole face brightening up.
'I do vaguely recall you mentioning it.' Harry mused, and Ron rolled his eyes. 'How are you rich?'
'Dad got promoted in the Ministry.' Ron explained. 'He's got promoted loads. I read in the Daily Prophet today about him getting the ministry out of a sticky situation, and getting a big bonus, too. He's something like sixth inline to be Minister, Harry!'
'I wonder why it's so different?' Harry pondered.
'I don't, I'm too happy to care right now!' Ron cheered, and threw a stone into the lake.
'So, have you found out anything else, apart from the fact that you're rich?' Harry asked, smiling at Ron's giddiness.
'I know that Dean and Seamus know about the Marauder's map, they were discussing it at breakfast before you arrived. Also us four are considered the Marauders of the present day, hense the use of names.'
'But Dean was called Wormtail, after that murdering scum.' Harry stated.
'Well I supposed he wasn't responsible form any deaths in this world.' Ron said, without a care in the world. 'There is no Dark Lord, remember.'
'There is a Dark Lord.' Harry said sternly. 'He just never turned bad.'
Both boys were quiet for a moment, and looked out onto the lake, the same thought going through their minds: Where is Voldemort now?
Harry put this to one side, and asked again:
'Is there anything else I should no?'
'Well, the only other thing I know is that you're the leader of the group, but I suppose you could have guessed that.' Ron said, picking at the grass. 'From what I gather, the other you was a lot like your father. Really confident and popular.'
'Well I suppose I'm going to have to work on that.' Harry sighed. 'Else people are going to suspect things. So what was the other you like?'
'Well from what I've heard today.' Ron said. 'I'm a lot like you, but not as big headed and arrogant. We're both players, and have had loads of girlfriends. From what Seamus and Dean said this morning, between all four of us, we've dated almost every good looking girl, from 4th year upwards!'
'Do you mind if we sit with you?'
Harry looked up to see a group of five girls, standing before him.
'Not at all.' Ron charmed, and the girls seated themselves around the boys, giggling. Ron gave Harry a look, which said all to clearly, to play along. Harry sighed.
Three of the girls were Hufflepuffs, and two Ravenclaws. Harry recognized one as Hannah Abbot, and another as Susan Bones. They had never really spoken to him much before.
'Lovely day, isn't it?' Harry said, as confidently as he could.
'Mmmmmm.' Hannah grinned, staring into Harry's eyes.
'So what have you lovely ladies been up to today?' Ron asked, placing his arms round two of them.
'We've been paddling in the lake.' A tanned girl answered.
'I'm sorry I missed it. I would have joined you.' Ron said, winking, and making the girls giggle.
'What have you been doing?' Hannah asked them both, but was looking still at Harry.
'Never you mind.' Harry grinned cheekily, raised his eyebrows, and watched Hannah swoon. This was something he could get used to.
'You had Quidditch practice last night, we were watching.' Susan smiled, brightly. 'You are a great captain.'
'Well thank you.' Harry said, in a low voice.
'Do you think you could show us some Quidditch?' A quiet girl piped up.
Harry put his hands in his pockets, and found a Snitch there, as if by magic. He took it out, and started playing with it. He'd let it fly away, then catch it at last minute. The girls made a great audience. They oohed and aaahed, in all the right places. After a particularly good save, Hannah moved closer to Harry.
'You are really good at Quidditch.' Hannah whispered in his ear. 'Do you think that maybe some time we could meet up, and you could teach me how to fly?'
'I don't see why not.' Harry said, and turned to Ron for reassurance, but got none.
Ron still had his arms around two of the girls, and they were quite innocently resting their hands on Ron's legs. He seemed to be discussing something rather amusing, as the girls couldn't stop laughing giddily.
'You're so funny.' The tanned girl said, moving closer to Ron.
'Watch out, Kira.' Susan warned. 'What would happen if his girlfriend walked by?'
Ron looked shocked for a moment, before joining in with the girls spontaneous laughter. He turned to Harry, who shrugged his shoulders, as Hannah linked her arm round his.
Harry's head ached, as he sat up in bed. He put his glasses on, before walking over to the window. The sky was the brightest blue Harry had ever seen, and it was dotted with fluffy white clouds. Harry couldn't help but smile.
He walked back over to his bed, and picked up his wand, before turning back to double check. There were only four beds in the room. Four beds. Either someone had moved their bed without Harry noticing, or he was in the wrong room. Come to think of it, he couldn't even remember coming to bed last night. His stomach churned.
He looked around the room for some evidence. Dean's football posters were up on the wall, and Ron's chocolate frog card collection laid scattered on the floor, next to what appeared to be a pair of Seamus's socks. This was enough evidence for Harry.
He walked over to his wardrobe, and opened both doors. Inside was a wide range of fashionable muggle clothing, and wizards robes. Harry closed the doors, and wondered what was going on. Someone had moved his clothes as well. He checked the other three wardrobes, but none of them contained his clothes. He looked under his bed too, but his scruffy jeans and plain t- shirts, were nowhere to be found.
He walked over to his wardrobe, and chose an outfit. A pair of neat black jeans, and a deep green shirt. He put them on, not caring who they belonged to, then took a look in the mirror. He looked cool. Whoever the clothes belonged to, was about the same size as Harry. Harry figured they were probably Seamus's, but it didn't matter whose they were. Harry couldn't find his clothes, so he would have to borrow some, and he knew none of the boys would mind. They probably wouldn't even notice.
Harry moved away from the mirror, and went over to his desk, looking for his potions essay. It wasn't there. He moved books, parchment, letters, the essay wasn't there. Harry started to panic. He had quidditch tryouts soon. He didn't have time to redo the potions essay. Harry started to pick up random things off the desk, and toss them onto the floor, searching. He stopped when he came across a framed photo, which made his blood run cold.
It was a photo of himself and his father. Harry looked to be in his mid teens, and his Father looked like he was maybe in his late 30s. He looked like Harry always imagined he would, judging by the few photos he had. This made no sense at all. Harry stared long at the photo, yet it gave him no answers, only puzzled him more. He wondered how someone could have done this photo. His father was dead.
Harry placed it carefully back on his desk, and crept away from it slowly, as if daring it to disappear. When it didn't, Harry took at seat at his desk, and looked over the picture once more.
It was a head and shoulder shot, and in the background was what appeared to be a forest. James Potter had his arm playfully around his son's neck, and was holding him in a sort of head lock, but he didn't seem to mind. He wore a large grin on his face, and a sparkle in his eye. His face was full of light summer freckles, and his hair was gelled.
Harry rubbed his head. He never wore gel in his hair. He looked over his desk, and found a large blue pot, labeled 'Mickey's Messy hair gel.'
He walked over to the mirror, and applied some to his unforgivable sticky up hair. The gel made his hair spring up, and look like he had just rolled out of bed. Harry compared himself to the picture. It was identical.
Harry sat down on his bed, unsure of what to do. Was he loosing his mind? Was everything a dream? Or a joke? He tried to think back to the last thing that happened the night before. He'd been doing his potion essay, not that that seemed important anymore. He'd borrowed Hermione's time turner, said goodnight, and walked over to the window. It all came flooding back. The star. He'd wished Voldemort had never gone bad, thrown the time turner, and collapsed.
Harry stood up and held his breath, realizing where he was: A world where Voldemort had never turned bad.
Harry breathed out, daring himself to wake up, to find out it was all a dream. It wasn't. Unsure of whether to be ecstatic or terrified, Harry grabbed what he assumed was his ruck sack, and rushed to the Great Hall.
He made his way through the corridors. He was sure of where he was going, but something made him uneasy. Something didn't feel right. He took a good look around him, and realized what was different. Everyone was smiling. People were chatting animatedly in group. People cheered, squealed, and hugged their friends. There were couples holding hands, which was strange to Harry. There were not many couples at the Hogwarts he knew. People were too busy worrying, to bother about that kind of thing.
Everyone was so relaxed, and happiness was like a contagious disease. Gradually everyone caught it, even Harry.
He arrived at the Great Hall with a smile on his face, before realizing he didn't know who his friends were. Maybe Hermione had been right, and they hadn't all made friends. Harry's thoughts were answered, when he heard people calling from the middle of Gryffinor table.
'Potter!'
'Hey Harry!'
'We're over here, Prongs!'
Seated in the middle of the table, calling him, were Dean, Seamus and Ron. They didn't look like the friends he remembered. Each of them looked confident and cool, with an air of cockiness, yet the surrounding students didn't seem to mind. Girls around the table were gazing lovingly at them, and boys were trying to gage them in conversation. Harry walked over, and took a set next to Ron, before realizing what he'd been called. Prongs. How did Dean and Seamus know about the Marauders? He pushed thoughts like that from his mind, and helped himself to some breakfast.
'You feeling alright mate?' Dean asked.
'Fine.' Harry said, although he wasn't sure if you could call what he was feeling, fine.
'You sure Prongs?' Seamus asked. 'You're not eating half as much as you usually would.'
'Now you mention it, I am feeling a little off color.' Harry lied, looking down at his plate.
'Well cheer up mate, its Saturday after all.' Ron smiled.
'Yep. Lots of pranking to do, eh Padfoot?' Seamus grinned.
'I reckon so.' Ron said, as he helped himself to more bacon.
'So what's in the bag, Prongsie?' Dean asked.
Harry looked down at his ruck sack, realizing he had no idea what it contained.
'Oh, don't ruin the surprise.' Ron cut in, before Harry could speak. 'I'm sure Prongs has a plan all figured out, right?'
'You could say that.' Harry grinned uneasily, as the boys cheered, and Ron patted him on the back.
'Well, should we meet up later then?' Seamus asked, Harry.
'Yea, erm, we'll meet after lunch, by the lake.' Harry stammered.
'Sounds good.' Dean said, nodding his head. 'We usually meet up inside, so nobody will suspect anything.'
'Yea.' Harry said, unsurely. 'That was my plan.'
'Sounds good.' Ron grinned.
'Well we have some business to attend to, don't we Wormy.' Seamus said confidently, as he stood up from the table, and bent over to retrieve his bag. 'Ouch!'
'What's the matter Moony?' Dean asked.
'My back still hurts from Quidditch practice last night.' Seamus explained. 'Try and go a little easier on us next time, Prongs.'
'Sure, will do.' Harry said, uncertainly.
'Well we really have to go.' Dean said, standing. 'We have to help the Patil twins with their Charms homework.'
'But you two aren't very good at Charms, are you?' Ron said, raising and eyebrow.
'No, but who cares!' Seamus exclaimed. 'We scored twins! Twins!'
'Well me and Harry are going too.' Ron chuckled. 'Some good fresh air is all Prongs needs to wake him up, I'm sure.'
Ron stood up and left the Great Hall, with Harry trailing behind him. Eyes from every direction, watched the boys leave the hall, which made Harry feel very uncomfortable. Once Harry had caught up with Ron, they were outside. The two boys walked in silence, to what had been their favorite spot in the old world, by the lake. Harry wondered if it was a coinsidence that the were coming down there, but didn't have too long to dwell on it, before Ron spoke.
'Nice day, eh mate?' Ron said confidently, as he sat himself on the grass.
'Sure is.' Harry said honestly, and sat down beside Ron. He couldn't disagree. It was a lovely day. They sky was always gray in the old world, as if reflecting the moods of the people under it.
'When's the last time it's been as bright as this?' Ron asked Harry, in a would be casual voice.
'I couldn't honestly tell you.' Harry sighed.
'Look at those girls.' Ron grinned cheekily, pointing to a group of Hufflepuffs, paddling further down the lake. 'So how many of those have you kissed?'
'I don't kiss and tell.' Harry said, slyly.
'Fair enough.' Ron said, and he seemed satisfied with his answer. Harry sighed. It was getting too close for Harry's liking. He wondered why Ron was questioning him. Had he noticed a difference? Harry put these thoughts to one side, as Ron didn't notice what was right under his nose.
'Harry, when is that potions essay you were working on last night, due in?' Ron asked, casually.
'Monday, of course.' Harry said, then jumped at his mistake. He hadn't been doing potions last night in this world, he'd been at Quidditch practice, like Seamus had said. He was about to make up an excuse, when Ron spoke.
'Harry, is it you?' Ron asked, unsurely.
'You mean?' Harry questioned. 'Are you? What were you doing last night?'
'I was in the common room with you and Hermione.' Ron explained. 'We talked, and packed up to go to bed, and then-'
'Everything went black.' Harry smiled, finishing his friends sentence.
'Oh, I am so glad its you Harry!' Ron exclaimed. 'I was petrified! I thought I was the only one who...who...what's happened to us Harry? What's going on?'
'I don't know.' Harry said, in earnest. 'Your guess is as good as mine. I only know what happened last night.'
Harry went on to explain about the star and the time turner, then what had happened earlier that morning.
'Well everything makes a little more sense now.' Ron beamed. 'I thought I was going nuts! I woke up this morning in my quidditch robes, and the last thing I could remember was talking in the common room. Then I found all new clothes in my cupboard. In this life I'm rich, Harry!'
For the first time, Harry noticed what Ron was wearing. He wore trendy navy blue jeans, a dark blue vest top, and smart trainers. He also had his hair gelled in spikes.
Harry grinned, remembering what he had done to his hair too.
'Yea, I spiked my hair.' Ron grinned. 'Dean and Seamus seemed to be doing weird and wonderful things with their hair, so I thought I'd better too. What's up with your hair? You worried me this morning when I saw you with your hair different. I thought you were a different you!'
'Oh, I just found some gel on my desk.' Harry explained, missing out the part about the photo. 'So how come we dress differently in this world? And why was everyone staring at us?'
'We're different people in this world.' Ron said, laying on the grass. 'We're cool and popular, from what I can gather.' Ron picked at a blade of grass, before asking: 'What are we going to do about being here?'
'Well I say we hang around for a bit.' Harry said, laying next to Ron. 'So tell me more about the other us's.'
'I'm rich, I'm rich, did mention I'm rich?' Ron exclaimed, his whole face brightening up.
'I do vaguely recall you mentioning it.' Harry mused, and Ron rolled his eyes. 'How are you rich?'
'Dad got promoted in the Ministry.' Ron explained. 'He's got promoted loads. I read in the Daily Prophet today about him getting the ministry out of a sticky situation, and getting a big bonus, too. He's something like sixth inline to be Minister, Harry!'
'I wonder why it's so different?' Harry pondered.
'I don't, I'm too happy to care right now!' Ron cheered, and threw a stone into the lake.
'So, have you found out anything else, apart from the fact that you're rich?' Harry asked, smiling at Ron's giddiness.
'I know that Dean and Seamus know about the Marauder's map, they were discussing it at breakfast before you arrived. Also us four are considered the Marauders of the present day, hense the use of names.'
'But Dean was called Wormtail, after that murdering scum.' Harry stated.
'Well I supposed he wasn't responsible form any deaths in this world.' Ron said, without a care in the world. 'There is no Dark Lord, remember.'
'There is a Dark Lord.' Harry said sternly. 'He just never turned bad.'
Both boys were quiet for a moment, and looked out onto the lake, the same thought going through their minds: Where is Voldemort now?
Harry put this to one side, and asked again:
'Is there anything else I should no?'
'Well, the only other thing I know is that you're the leader of the group, but I suppose you could have guessed that.' Ron said, picking at the grass. 'From what I gather, the other you was a lot like your father. Really confident and popular.'
'Well I suppose I'm going to have to work on that.' Harry sighed. 'Else people are going to suspect things. So what was the other you like?'
'Well from what I've heard today.' Ron said. 'I'm a lot like you, but not as big headed and arrogant. We're both players, and have had loads of girlfriends. From what Seamus and Dean said this morning, between all four of us, we've dated almost every good looking girl, from 4th year upwards!'
'Do you mind if we sit with you?'
Harry looked up to see a group of five girls, standing before him.
'Not at all.' Ron charmed, and the girls seated themselves around the boys, giggling. Ron gave Harry a look, which said all to clearly, to play along. Harry sighed.
Three of the girls were Hufflepuffs, and two Ravenclaws. Harry recognized one as Hannah Abbot, and another as Susan Bones. They had never really spoken to him much before.
'Lovely day, isn't it?' Harry said, as confidently as he could.
'Mmmmmm.' Hannah grinned, staring into Harry's eyes.
'So what have you lovely ladies been up to today?' Ron asked, placing his arms round two of them.
'We've been paddling in the lake.' A tanned girl answered.
'I'm sorry I missed it. I would have joined you.' Ron said, winking, and making the girls giggle.
'What have you been doing?' Hannah asked them both, but was looking still at Harry.
'Never you mind.' Harry grinned cheekily, raised his eyebrows, and watched Hannah swoon. This was something he could get used to.
'You had Quidditch practice last night, we were watching.' Susan smiled, brightly. 'You are a great captain.'
'Well thank you.' Harry said, in a low voice.
'Do you think you could show us some Quidditch?' A quiet girl piped up.
Harry put his hands in his pockets, and found a Snitch there, as if by magic. He took it out, and started playing with it. He'd let it fly away, then catch it at last minute. The girls made a great audience. They oohed and aaahed, in all the right places. After a particularly good save, Hannah moved closer to Harry.
'You are really good at Quidditch.' Hannah whispered in his ear. 'Do you think that maybe some time we could meet up, and you could teach me how to fly?'
'I don't see why not.' Harry said, and turned to Ron for reassurance, but got none.
Ron still had his arms around two of the girls, and they were quite innocently resting their hands on Ron's legs. He seemed to be discussing something rather amusing, as the girls couldn't stop laughing giddily.
'You're so funny.' The tanned girl said, moving closer to Ron.
'Watch out, Kira.' Susan warned. 'What would happen if his girlfriend walked by?'
Ron looked shocked for a moment, before joining in with the girls spontaneous laughter. He turned to Harry, who shrugged his shoulders, as Hannah linked her arm round his.