Harry and Malfoy waited impatiently outside Snape's office while Snape sat inside, interrogating Crabbe and Goyle.
Malfoy suddenly grinned as he watched Harry wiping a bloody lip.
"That's just what I needed"
Harry smiled and nodded.
The door opened and the two Slytherin bullies exited, Goyle with a cloth to his bleeding nose and Crabbe with a supposedly broken arm.
Harry and Malfoy went in and sat quietly in front of Snape's desk.
"What's your story, Potter?"
"Crabbe came up behind me, hit me, and said it was from his 'boss'"
Snape surveyed him coolly.
"Well the dark lord didn't tell them to do that. In fact his last order was not to harm you at all. He hasn't summoned a single death eater since you weekend in the forest."
Harry was wondering why Snape was telling him this but the potion master seemed to read his mind.
"The majority of the order no longer trust you, Potter. Somebody has to fill you in"
"So there's no longer an order?" Harry looked at Draco who was watching a squid-like creature bobbing around in a tank.
"There is but their priority is now defeating the dark lord, not protecting you."
Snape scribbled something on a piece of paper. "I'm going to let you both off the hook this time. Take this note for your teacher and return to class. That's all"
Harry got up extra early the next morning. The Hunt started today and it wasn't long before the other hunters joined him for breakfast, chatting excitedly about the hunt, which was set to commence at mid-day and end the same time tomorrow.
"Hey, Harry" Claire came and sat down beside him. He leant over and kissed her temple and she smiled slightly.
With an hour until lunchtime, Tokugawa rounded up his team and led them into the forest. They followed a single track; breathless with excitement, until they reached a clearing a fair way in. this was when he began to explain the rules.
"This clearing is your base. I will stay here. Come to me if you need food, water or medical supplies. You will fight using only the skills you have learnt. You will hand your wand into me so there will be no magic. Those of you who can use wandless magic," he fixed Harry with a stern gaze which Harry answered with one of pure innocence. "You must prevent from using it. To gain points for your team you must bring your Katana into contact with your opponent. The Katana has been charmed to leave a red mark on the other persons clothing. These spots will add up in the end to determine the winner."
"What does the winner get?" Dean asked, examining his Katana for signs of red paint.
"The winning team will receive a week in Japan"
Everyone began chatting excitedly.
A foghorn like noise bellowed out through the forest and everyone stopped to listen.
"That's the first signal," Tokugawa explained, holding up a wooden box. "Everyone put your wands in here. When you hear it again you may begin your hunt. Good luck!" he shouted as the foghorn sounded again. The Gryffindor team ran, Katana's held high, screaming a war cry, into the forbidden forest.
"Watch out of snakes!" they only barely heard Tokugawa yell out as they surged through the undergrowth. It wasn't long before they came into contact with the Hufflepuff team who were yelling just as loud.
All four teams ran wildly around the forest for about two hours before people began getting tired and they started strategizing and using stealth.
It was just becoming dark as Hermione untangled herself from a bush with inch long thorns. She paused when she heard a rustling on the other side of a massive pine tree. She picked the last thorn off very quietly and pressed her back against the tree, Katana raised in a stance mode.
The other person stopped just short of her hiding spot and she took the moment to attack them.
Her stick clashed loudly with theirs and she realised it was Malfoy. She pressed her stick harder against his, trying to force him down but his strength wouldn't give. After a few seconds of straining against each other, she found her face inches from his. He grinned impishly in the growing darkness and suddenly surprised her with a kiss.
They both dropped their sticks and Malfoy pressed her up against the pine tree, exploring her mouth with his tongue. Hermione lost herself in the moment and soon found herself with her hands up the back of Malfoy's shirt, running her hands over his tones shoulders.
Neither of them heard the approaching Ravenclaws.
Padma Patil and Terry Boot had hit them several times before running off to hide.
Hermione and Malfoy broke apart, grabbed their sticks, and disappeared in opposite directions.
Harry guessed it to be about ten o'clock as he sat on a large bough above the Slytherin base, hidden from view by the dense canopy.
Only Gobermoru was there, sitting by a fire, smiling to himself. Harry suspected the old man knew he was there.
Pansy entered the base sporting a snakebite. Gobermoru treated it quickly and Pansy was able to be on her way. Harry followed her via the treetops. When she reached a really dense part Harry was able to reach down with his Katana and tap her three times on the shoulder.
Pansy whirled around but saw no one. She tried, hurriedly, to brush the chalk like spots off her back then, failing miserably, set off at a run.
A green snake bared its fangs at Harry who calmed it with a hiss before going back to his own base to see how everyone was fairing.
Ron was sitting by the fire, his head back, looking as if he was sleeping. Harry pushed him over and he opened his eyes with a start.
"What are you doing?" Harry asked, a little annoyed that Ron was resting. "You wont get points just sitting there!"
"I've been bitten by three snakes, a wolf and I was chased on three sperate occasions by unicorns, centaurs and those big spiders that Hagrid loves. I think I deserve a rest. Unless" he added hurriedly, glancing at Harry's angered face with worry. "Do you need a rest? You better sit down for a while"
"Forget it" Harry huffed, climbing a tree to continue his hunt for the green, yellow and blue.
When morning came Harry found himself sitting at the foot of a tree trying to keep fatigue from taking him over. He only had five spots on him; three blue, one yellow and one green.
He probably should have gone back to base but he had the shits with the rest of his team for slacking off. Instead he called on all the snakes in earshot to form a guard around him while he rested.
Crabbe and Goyle spotted him and came blundering over, oblivious to the poisonous snakes hiding around him. When they were about five feet from him, a black cobra reared up from the ground and sank its fangs into Crabbe's ankle. Crabbe yelled out in surprise and both boys retreated.
"What are you doing, Harry?" Hermione appeared around the other side of the tree, narrowly dodging a red serpent. Harry called it off and Hermione sat down beside him.
"Resting" he sighed, letting his head fall back on the tree trunk. Hermione counted the snakes wearily.
"Has anyone got through here, yet?" she asked as a tiny brown snake slithered over her shoe.
"A few have tried but they haven't gotten past that one there." He pointed to the black cobra.
"Oh" Hermione raised an eyebrow as Malfoy and Pansy came into view. They saw the two opponents sitting by the tree and Pansy started over, only to be stopped by Malfoy who grinned and pointed out the snakes.
"You chicken, Potter" he called out "come and fight me!"
Harry glanced sideways at Hermione who was ginning wildly. "Aim for the knees" he whispered as they got to their feet.
Harry stepped around the snakes with Hermione in tow.
Malfoy struck at him with a swift sideways cut. Harry blocked it nimbly and grabbed Malfoy's wrist with his free hand. The blonde boy swivelled his whole body around and Harry had to duck to avoid the oncoming Katana.
To their left Hermione and Pansy were engaged in an equally violent battle. Hermione managed to hook her leg around Pansy's and tripped her over before beating her furiously with her own Katana.
Two Hufflepuff boys and Neville Longbottom joined the battle so Harry and Malfoy were momentarily separated as they defended themselves against Justin Finch-Fletchley and Ernie Macmillan.
Harry managed to get a few decent whacks in before turning back to Malfoy, hoping to catch him by surprise. Malfoy, however, was on his guard and he blocked Harry neatly before forcing him to the ground. Harry lay on his back blocking every hit that came at him. Hermione and Neville were close by so it was only Malfoy attacking him.
Harry was finally able to lift him foot and boot Malfoy backwards before jumping back on his feet and hitting Pansy hard across the head.
The skirmish was becoming extremely violent and Harry wondered how much blood would have to be spilt before the Samurai masters interjected.
Harry was separated from Malfoy again as he chased Theodore Nott down after the Slytherin loner planted a sly mark on Harry's thigh.
People were closing in on every direction with Hermione, Harry and Neville being the only Gryffindors engaging combat.
Harry was about to call on his snakes for help again when Claire, Parvati, Seamus and Dean came bursting in, hot and fresh, from the east.
Harry stood back to back with Neville as Lisa Turpin grouped together with Padma and Mandy Brocklehurst and forced an attack. Each girl hit Harry twice but was then bombarded by Hermione and Susan Bones.
Dean stumbled into Harry's view sporting a gash to the head. Blaise was in hot pursuit and Harry stepped between them, yelling for Claire to take Dean to Tokugawa.
The fight was becoming much to extreme and it was only a few minutes before Tokugawa, Gobermoru, Manchiyo and Yukimura were in the centre of it, separating students left right and centre.
The students slowly dispersed back into the forest to continue private battles leaving Harry and Malfoy alone once again. Malfoy had suffered head injuries as well and his silver blonde hair was streaked with red.
"You should see someone about that," Harry said seriously as the two boys circled each other.
"No I shouldn't." Draco lunged forward and Harry met him full blow. Boy boys dropped their sticks and continued their tousle on the ground.
A foghorn echoed through the forest, making the boys freeze.
"Jeez its lunch time already!" Malfoy exclaimed, holding out a hand for Harry.
Harry picked up his stick and tried to hit Malfoy but no red spot appeared.
"Damn"
An hour later the weary fighters were sitting in the great hall eating a well earned lunch while Dumbledore raved on about how it was a great fight and the sixth grade students have learnt well.
The rest of the school had watched the hunt on a massively huge, magical screen.
"-But the team who stood out most of all by scoring the most points was…" Harry craned his neck to watch Dumbledore announce the winner.
"RAVENCLAW!" the Blue and Bronze team jumped to their feet, screaming and hugging each other. The other three houses clapped politely before returning to their food.
Harry watched Ginny with mild interest as she sat down next to Hermione. Her stomach was so big now that it barely fit under the table. She seemed upset about something and all she ate was a sandwich before leaving again. Harry followed her and she went into one of the dungeon classrooms. Harry sat on the desk beside her and comforted her while she cried.
"I had a fight with Dean. I think we've broken up now." She sniffled and Harry hugged her tightly. "I want my baby to have a father. What if Dean doesn't want to be that anymore?"
"He'll come round," Harry said, wondering what the fight was about.
"Yeah but what if he doesn't? I can't raise a baby on my own"
"You wont be on your own, Ginny" Harry soothed. "I'm here. And Ron and Hermione. But he will come round, I promise."
"Ginny?" Harry and Ginny looked up to see Dean's dark figure silhouetted in the doorway.
"I told you" Harry whispered, hugging her again then getting up to leave. He paused at the door to give Dean a 'don't mess with her' look when Ginny gave a little gasp of pain.
Harry whirled around to look at and saw she was holding her stomach.
"I think my water broke," she gasped as Dean and Harry moved forward to help her.
"But you've still got over a month!" Dean said as they moved slowly along the corridor.
"Argh!" Ginny almost fell over as a contraction hit her.
"Hold on Ginny" Harry growled under her weight. Malfoy met them in the entrance hall on the way to the Slytherin common room.
"I'll get Pomfrey," he said without even having to inquire the situation.
Harry and Dean sat Ginny on the steps as another contraction hit her. Dumbledore and most of the staff came out to see what the fuss was about.
All of the students tried to follow but Harry used his magic to shut and lock the double doors for Ginny's sake.
"Oh dear" Madam Pomfrey came trundling down the stairs, her hands flurrying about her head. Malfoy was a few paces behind her.
"Someone conjure a stretcher!" she snapped, feeling Ginny's stomach with care.
Dumbledore obliged and Ginny was carried away on a floating stretcher.
When they reached the infirmary everyone made to follow Ginny inside but the school nurse stopped them.
"The birth place is only for the women" she snapped, letting McGonagall and Sprout inside then shutting the door.
Hermione and Ron came racing up the stairs and Harry quickly explained why they were sitting outside.
"God it's early" Hermione muttered, letting herself into the hospital wing.
Dumbledore conjured up four chairs for Dean, Malfoy, Harry and Ron then led his male staff in the opposite direction.
"I shouldn't have fought with her" Dean groaned, his head in his hands.
"What did you fight about?" Ron asked; his voice touched with a slide of menace.
"Whose last name the baby got. It was stupid."
"It'll be Weasley" Ron said automatically.
"Why not Thomas?" Dean shot back. Ron shut up.
The boys sat outside for what seemed like forever. Dumbledore dropped in every now and again and Ron requested footrests.
It was dark when Hermione eventually emerged, looking pale and worn but exhilarated all the same.
"There's been some difficulties," she explained sadly, sitting lightly on Malfoy's knee.
Dean's face paled immediately.
"Was it born dead?"
"It hasn't been born at all. She's still in labour but Madam Pomfrey thinks the umbilical cord is wrapped around its neck. That's why it's being born early" she sighed deeply and rested her head against Malfoy's chest with her eyes closed.
Ron seemed both upset and angered. Upset at the fact that Ginny was having trouble and angered because Hermione and Malfoy still hadn't broken up while Ron's first relationship was a flop.
Harry rested his head back against the wall. He felt sorry for Dean to have to go through this. Though if it were his child he would have already forced entry into the hospital wing.
Professor Sprout poked her head out the door.
"Hermione? We could use some help in here. The baby's on its way!" Hermione ran back inside, once again leaving the boys outside in the cold corridor.
The night wore on and the corridor grew colder but none of the boys dare left their seats.
At about midnight Hermione came flying into the corridor.
"IT'S A GIRL!" she screeched, jumping up and down.
Dean sighed with relief and hugged Hermione before entering the birthplace of his baby girl.
Hermione, Ron and Harry waited outside for five minutes to let the proud parents spend time with their child. Finally Dean called them in.
Harry went in second and what he saw was probably the most beautiful thing in the entire world; Ginny lay in bed, her hair ruffled, her face white and worn but she was grinning all the same as she and Dean stared into the face of the most perfect child.
"Come and meet Laura" Ginny said, her voice was strained and croaky.
Harry, Ron and Draco moved quietly across the room.
Laura Thomas-Weasley has just darker than olive skin with blue almond shaped eyes and a dainty little nose. A tuft of jet-black hair was perched, still wet, atop her pretty little head.
"Wow" Ron breathed, collecting the tiny little child in his arms. Laura coughed and her face went red. Ron quickly passed her onto Harry.
Harry had never held a baby before in his life but Hermione assured him that he was a natural. Laura opened her eyes and stared at Harry with what he guessed was interest.
"Hey there" he cooed, letting her wrap her tiny little hands around his finger.
"Time to check her vitals" Pomfrey came out of her office as Dumbledore entered the room.
Laura turned out to be in perfect working order. All her reflexes worked and she was neither deaf nor blind. Except for some bruising around her neck, she had managed well for an early birth.
After that everyone was sent off to bed so Ginny could give Laura her first feeding.
Harry went to visit Ginny later the next day after everyone else had visited her.
The new mother was asleep when he arrived so he simply sat by her bed, watching Laura squirm in her bassinet.
Suddenly the baby let out a cry and Ginny opened her eyes with a start.
"Oh Harry," she mumbled, pushing her hair back and reaching for her baby. "You should have woken me"
"You looked so peaceful" he replied, smiling as Laura hiccupped.
"I need to tell you something anyway. Dean and me have been talking and we've decided to make you Laura's godfather. If that's alright with you of course," she added hurriedly, noticing the surprised look on Harry's face. He smiled.
"Course it is. I'd be honoured to take the job but may I ask why? I thought you were going to have Ron as godfather"
"Ron didn't save me from that house. Ron will be a fine uncle just as you will be a fine godfather"
"Whose the godmother?" he asked, suddenly wondering if he himself had a godmother.
"Hermione"
"Has your mum and dad come to visit yet?"
"They should be…here now" Ginny grinned as Molly came running into the room, handbag flapping wildly at her side. Arthur, Fred, George and Charlie came in at a more orderly manner.
"Where is she" Molly asked bossily, tearing over to the bed but the moment her eyes fell on the golden child her wildness faded away to a calm collected impression.
"Oh she's beautiful!" Molly scooped her first grandchild into her arms and stared at her with the rest of the Weasley clan watching over her shoulder.
"I'll be back later," Harry whispered to Ginny before leaving. He should have gone to class but instead he made his way to Dumbledore's office.
"Ah Harry, how's little Laura?" the headmaster ushered him into a seat opposite his desk.
"Fine. They named me godfather"
"Congratulations! But I have a feeling that that information isn't the news you came here for. Am I correct?"
Harry studied the desk for a moment.
"Sir" he met Dumbledore's eyes. "I was wondering if I have a godmother"
"You do, Harry" he answered after much consideration. "I believe she's currently residing in the UK."
"Who is she?" Harry leant forward eagerly awaiting more.
"Julie Brave. But Harry, you must promise me you don't go looking for her. After your mothers death she became very distraught and she could be dangerous. We don't know if she's a death eater or not"
"Does Sirius know about her?"
"Sirius knows you have a godmother. He also knows Julie. But he does not know about your connection. He and Julie ah, dated back when you were only young."
There was also another thought that had been ebbing at Harry's mind for a while and he presumed now was the time to bring it up.
"Do I have grandparents? On my dads side? I've met the ones on my mothers side"
"Trevor and Rosalee Potter are in hiding" Dumbledore said shortly.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, frowning. There was something Dumbledore was not telling him.
The old man sighed. "Your grandparents don't want anything to do with you. They still blame you for their son's death. I'm very sorry to tell you this now Harry but it was something I thought I could certainly keep from you…"
Harry got up and left without another word.
If his grandparents didn't want to know him then that was fine by him. He didn't think he could stand meeting them anyway though he knew the direction they were coming from.
He even blamed himself for his father's death.
Review please!
Harry also becomes an alcoholic and a rev-head.