Disclaimer: ::Dramatic sigh:: I will not say it.

A/N: Thanks to my new reviewer! I bow to you!

Lock and Key

Chapter 8

"Did you know about this?!" Harry asked, pacing. He and Parvati were in the common room.

"No, not until this morning! Tessa showed me. I swear Harry—I knew nothing about this! I don't even know how they knew about Hogsmeade!" she insisted.

"Someone must have told them, as a stupid joke or something!" His mind instantly blamed Malfoy. Of course it had been the ferret lover... who else?!

"I'm sorry Harry." Parvati apologized.

"This is perfect. Now everyone thinks we're going out!" he irksomely sighed, raking a hand through his hair.

"Is it really that horrible?" she quietly wondered, a pained expression on her face. Initially Parvati had been somewhat thrilled to have been labeled Harry's girlfriend, even if it was a mistake. But now, upon seeing his angry reaction...

Harry looked at her uncertainly and then down at the floor in shame. He hadn't meant to hurt her with his words. Maybe I'm overreacting, he thought, I've had much worse rumors spread about me.

"Sorry," Harry mumbled, "I didn't mean to come off as rude. It's not like they said... we-we shagged or something... it's just—"

"Another rumor—lie – in general." Parvati helped, reddening mightily from his observation.

"Exactly," he half-smiled, "It'd be nice they could get their facts straight for once." Silence overcame them suddenly. They both searched around uncertainly for nothing in particular.

"So what do we do now?" she questioned.

"Not much. Go on as though nothing ever happened." Harry shrugged.

"Right. Back down to lunch, then?" They walked to the entrance together and out. Parvati took two steps before Harry grabbed her hand in his. She looked at him, startled.

"Let's mess with their minds, for a bit," he smirked. She grinned.

Harry and Parvati turned out to be the news of the day, and was showing vast potential for being the highlight for the rest of the week; Hermione couldn't stand it. Of course she knew (desperately hoped) the two weren't dating—it was absurd. Harry, without a doubt, would have told her something so significant and heartbreaking. But the fact that people even thought they were boyfriend and girlfriend sickened her. And this rumor, Parvati's fault or not, had dropped the Patil girl in the sight of the Head Girl.

Hermione wanted to speak to Harry about the whole situation if only to reassure her conscience, but had yet to do so. She supposed she could corner him sometime after dinner when he was alone, though that would be difficult, seeing as how an unusual throng of people tailed him (all day, in fact). She figured she could simplygive them all detention... that'd clear them off.... At nine Hermione came into the common room to see all of Harry's personal marching band, all except Harry of course.

"Where's Harry?" Hermione asked Ron, pulling him aside.

"In our room. He said he'd be back down," he reported, "Why?"

"It's about our Charms project." With that she walked up the boys' dormitory staircase. This was just what she desired: Harry alone. And hopefully in the middle of changing his shirt, she mentally added. Scowling, but tingeing pink at the idea, she knocked on the seventh year dormitory.

"Who is it?" Harry demanded from inside.

"Me, Hermione," she replied. A (long) moment later the door opened. She entered as Harry went back to his desk. A quill and piece of parchment sat on it, indicating he had been writing some sort of something.

"Oh yes, I can see you're rushing to get back downstairs." Hermione quipped, smiling. Harry snorted, eyes not leaving his work (which was a letter to Lupin).

"Isn't it obvious?" he wondered. She bit her lip, remembering why she had come up here.

"Er... can I ask you something?" she started. He nodded, studying her now. Hermione quickly strode across the room and sat on the edge of his bed, nervously fiddling with her robes.

"It's a bit silly, isn't it? This whole... little scenario involving you and Parvati." she said.

"Yeah." Harry plainly responded.

"So Witch Weekly caught you two at Hogsmeade? It doesn't mean anything," The fact that they spent a considerable amount of time together flashed in her mind, "Right?" He watched her, his face unreadable. Wow, he was making her incredibly uncomfortable.

"What do you think?" Harry inquired, arms folded.

"That it's an ill informed lie." Hermione promptly answered, sounding sure of herself and optimistic. He gave a small sigh, running a hand across his face.

"You and Ron know me better than anyone, Hermione. Come on—you'd know when something was up." He turned back to the parchment, leaving Hermione feeling much better. She got up and walked to the door.

"The same goes for me, Harry," she quietly informed, implying about David. He got the implication.

On Wednesday Harry solely worried about the DA meeting. (He took notice of the Quidditch match the next day but did not worry. He was convinced Rice and Ravenclaw were going down). He reviewed what he was going to say about a million times in his head. He didn't precisely know why he was so nervous about reforming it... and then again maybe he did. The war was in full effect now. He himself held the unforeseen power to stop it all, or at least Voldemort, and had no promise of making it out alive to see the end of the school year. He tried not to dwell on it because it depressed him, but he noted that at one point he was going to have to tell the DA about the prophecy. First, he had to tell his two best friends... Merlin, he still had yet to tell Remus.

That night Harry arrived in the Room of Requirement at 10:15. (He had spent most of dinner being pestered by Slytherin's blonde protégé and his admirers about Parvati. His team reaped the "benefits" of his mood during practice). Hermione was the second to arrive, and by 10:30 sharp, it seemed as though everyone was present. Hermione cleared her throat.

"Um, thank you for coming to—"she began. The door then swung open, Ron and Lavender scrambling in. She looked annoyed and he, flustered.

"Sorry! There was this fiasco with Filch, third years, and a whole lot of Weasley Wizarding Wheezes! We had to sort it all out!" Ron apologized, going to stand by Harry and Hermione in the front. He put his hands on his hips, gazing around the room superiorly and taking in a breath. She glared at him.

"As I was saying! Welcome to the 'first' DA meeting. We're initially gathering just to see who's interested and inform you about it, if you've never heard about it," she continued, "But, I'm not leader, so I'll let the person whom is speak." They all focused their attention on Harry.

"Um, well, you all know by now that Voldemort is back," he said. Many flinched. Perhaps the first lesson would be on saying the Dark Lord's name....

"I know we have a pretty good Defense teacher this year, so there's not a critical need for the DA like there was last time—"

"Of course there's a need! Those Death Eaters are crazier than ever!" Dean remarked, cutting him off. The others agreed enthusiastically.

"Every new spell counts," added Hannah Abott. A fourth year raised her hand.

"Yeah?" Harry said.

"What makes you so qualified to teach us?" She received numerous outraged stares. Another Zechariah Smith in the making....

"I'm in NEWT level Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Having fought Voldemort a few times, I know a couple of spells," he tonelessly reported.

"Not to mention he's just about the best Dark Arts student Hogwarts has ever seen," snapped Ginny. Both the girl and Harry flushed with embarrassment.

"Will we need to sign a secrecy pact this time?" questioned Padma.

"No. Last time it was only done because it was illegal for it to be running. Umbridge, however, is thankfully not here anymore." Hermione told her. Harry took the opportunity to look around. Every old DA member still at school was present, as was the entire Gryffindor Quidditch team, Rebecca Mesh, Bethany King, and David Rice. He rapidly glanced over at Ron to see if he had noticed the boy as well. His grin told Harry he had spotted Rebecca, not Rice. Well, Harry would just have to make sure he partnered everyone up, wouldn't he?

As everyone prepared to depart, and after the new members had received their "Galleons", a Hufflepuff decided to impart what was on his mind. (Hermione had been talking to David while Ron had started flirting with Rebecca, not noticing an agitated Luna Lovegood).

"Are you two going out?" he loudly pondered, pointing at Parvati and Harry. All eyes and ears were on them. She blushed a little, looking at Harry. He glanced at her.

"That's not why this meeting was called," he coolly stated, "Nor is it really any of your business whether or not we are." The boy immediately dropped his hand. Many people smiled & snickered; Harry winked at Parvati. Hermione, on the other hand, frowned heavily. What was Harry doing?

Harry had not done much of anything to disprove the article in two days' time, and Parvati had also been unusually mum about it. Mostly everyone figured it was true and Hermione was positively reeling. She was infuriated with Harry for not bothering to tell the truth, thus by encouraging the stupid rumor. By Thursday she took it upon herself to correct whomever she heard.

Thursday also meant Quidditch. The game was going to be after lunch, which meant the school had no afternoon classes. Ron and Harry conversed in low voices during the meal, devising ways to embarrass Rice in the air. Both Houses' teams left the Hall a few minutes before lunch was concluded to many anxious cheers. Harry gave the customary speech while the six others pulled their equipment on, and then they waited for the stands to fill.

When it was safe to leave they filed out of the locker room. Harry brought up the rear, so when he saw two people he recognized under the bleachers, his faltering was ignored. Hermione was speaking to David Rice in a calming voice. He appeared quite nervous and would regularly nod to something she said. Harry gripped his broom so tightly his hand turned white. Why wasn't the Ravenclaw Seeker on the bloody field?! Hermione then kissed David on the cheek, as a sign of reassurance. Harry's jaw dropped. His feet swiftly then began moving (without his brain really knowing) and moments later he caught up to his team, already in line. So, that was it then? Rice pretended to be afraid in order to score pity kisses?! Harry wanted nothing more than to wallop David with his Firebolt. His fellow Gryffindors eyed him with confusion but he ignored it.

"We are missing Ravenclaw's Seeker." Hooch announced to the group, irritated. A second later David ran into his appropriate spot, looking apologetic.

"Sorry," he breathed. The captain quickly leaned over and murmured in David's ear. Harry watched him with dislike and distrust.

"All right—captains, shakes hands."

Flying through the air, Harry pondered over whom Hermione truly wanted to be victorious. He looked over to the Gryffindor section and saw her sitting with her roommates. Ginny scored and yells rang out. (They were up 40-20). Harry searched the pitch for the Snitch momentarily and saw nothing. What did Hermione see in him? No one was that perfect; it had to be an act. Sure, they were currently friends, but many times friendship turned into something more. Speak of the devil.... Rice flew by Harry and offered him a genuine, hopeful smile. Harry rolled his eyes and flew off in a different direction, mentally telling Rice to take his smile & stuff it.

90 minutes later, the match was still in progress. Gryffindor had 190 points while Ravenclaw only had 40. The Snitch was apparently on vacation and everyone was tired of the game, even the players. Harry gritted his teeth and cursed the dumb ball for having no decency. Somewhere behind him he heard David Rice yawn. Rice flew into his field of view and opened his mouth to say something. However, in that instance, Harry saw Lauren fly off to try and score another goal, and a flash of gold shoot under him. The Seekers' eyes met. In a whirlwind of blue and scarlet, they took off.

"And the Snitch has finally showed itself ladies and gentlemen!" cried Ernie. The audience immediately sat up from slumping and watched the race for the gold. Harry and David weaved in and out of every possible space, in equal pursuit of the Snitch. It looked like a synchronized dance in the air. As Harry pulled up, he silently growled. Damn it, the thought, he's good.

The winged ball zoomed through the Ravenclaw goalpost and David followed it directly, crouching low. Both boys were now on either side of the Snitch. They crawled forward, hands outstretched. No one made a sound in the stands. His hand then clamped down on the Snitch, a second before the other one could. Ravenclaw erupted in cheersb and Ernie shouted out:

"And Rice catches the Snitch! But, BUT!! Chid scored a goal as soon as the Snitch was spotted! So, that leaves the score 190-200: Gryffindor wins!" The lions roared their approval, jumping up and down. The Quidditch team began circling Lauren, praising her. David's team came to congratulate him for closing the humungous gap as Harry slowly descended to the ground, hollow. He hadn't caught the Snitch; Rice had. He had lost. On the ground Gryffindor and Ravenclaw supporters happily rallied about, both satisfied with the outcome of the game. (The Ravenclaws were excited their Seeker had beaten the invincible Harry Potter). Ron put a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"You did your best," he noted. He roughly shrugged his hand off.

"I failed," he snapped.

"But we still won."

"Harry, Harry!," someone called. It was Rice, "Good match, Harry. You fly terrifically." Ron scowled but Harry had words for him.

"Bugger off," he snarled. A few people gasped, including Hermione. She stepped forward.

"Harry—"she started. But he was already gone.

A/N: I probably won't be able to post this weekend, unless I get back early from my "duties" on Sunday. I'll try though! As for the story, it will become more action packed, I suppose you can say, though that's not my main worry. Dumbledore will finally make an appearance and dementors may show up as well, along with a troubled Fudge....