Hiiii! Yes it's been a while but see explanations at the bottom, plus this is an extra large chapter so all of you better review!!!
Thanks to my wonderful beta Eriverde. A marvelous job as always and I am complying with your request on next chapter.
One last thing, there is kind of a quote and it's not from a movie. I don't think anyone will get it but if you do you'll get a price. The winner for LOoB 6 was Juliana Edwards and she got she prize soooooo with out any more babbling until the end of the chapter, here's LOoB chp 7.
Last time: Harry got a date, Julian was on a chocolate high, and Hermione and Ron made Harry see he had a date. More or less this is what happened.
Chp. 7: visions, dates and jealous Potions Masters
"He's doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"The twisty thing with his mouth that he knows drives me crazy."
"Who?"
"Harryyyy!"
"Oh, why are you so sure he knows it drives you crazy?"
"It's not natural, and it's way too sexy for it not to be intentional."
"Tony, we're talking about Harry Potter here, the king of oblivious when it comes to sexual matters. I heard Granger had to actually explain to him you two were going out on a date. I can assure you he does not do it on purpose, he's not even looking this way, so stop it now, please."
Anthony Goldstein looked at his best friend Terry Boot with scary blue eyes. He couldn't wait until Saturday for his date with Harry Potter. He had liked the green-eyed Gryffindor since last year when he had gotten to know the raven haired boy during the DA. He had wanted to ask him out for a long time but he had thought Harry was going out with Cho Chang. Since they had not been seen together in the entire school year, he figured the Gryffindor was now single and available.
Anthony pouted a little and crossed his arms around his chest, "Do you think he won't like me?"
"No, Tony, you're a great guy, I'm sure he'll like you well enough. Still, I don't want you to get your hopes up. Just wait and see what happens."
"Terry, do I detect a bit of lack of trust, to say it politely, in my seducing abilities?"
Terry couldn't help but smile at his best friend's antics.
"Seducing abilities? Tony, you're fifteen years old; you have no 'seducing abilities.' You've never even had a boyfriend before, and it's not that I don't trust you, it's just that from what I've seen Harry doesn't want to be involved with a fan. He's the kind of guy who wants someone to like him for who he is, not for his fame or whatever."
"Now that is just ridiculous. Terry, you are my best friend, and you have been my best friend since we were five years old. You know I would never do that to Harry."
Terry gave a frustrated groan, let his head fall on the table, and took a deep breath.
"It's not that Tons. If you like him and he likes you, be my guest and have a 'relationship.' I just want you to be careful and not see things that aren't really there. Promise me you will take things slowly with Harry."
Anthony gave his friend a patronizing look.
"Very well Terrs, I will take things calmly but I will not deny him if he doesn't want to take them that way."
With that the conversation was over. A preoccupied Terry Boot and a happy as hell Anthony Goldstein left the Great Hall and headed out to Greenhouse Six where they had Herbology with the Slytherins.
He could hear children crying. The screams were beginning to pierce his skull and the pain was unbearable. He recognized some voices, of Death Eaters. And in the background, there was Voldemort.
Harry Potter woke up with a scream and the hands of his best friend Ronald Weasley shaking him awake.
A sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead and he felt a strong burning on his scar. Another nightmare.
Screams, tortures and evil plots, that's what his dreams were made of. It would have driven any other person insane. But Harry was not any other person. He was a hero and as such, he had a burden to bear.
"A memory, a vision, or a prophecy?" Ron asked while handing him a glass of water. It was the same routine after every dream: Glass of water. Write it down if it's a prophecy, try to forget if it's a memory, and in the worst of cases, if it's a vision, run to the Headmaster to try to avoid it or at least do some damage control. Though, because of Occlumency, Harry was having fewer and fewer of those.
"Prophecy, I think; it was very blurry. But it had the same feel as the last four nights. I think I'm going to have to ask Madam Pomfrey for some Dreamless Sleep potion."
"That's not going to work mate, you know she said only two a month, and she already gave you three this month."
"I know, I know." He was so tired of it all. He didn't believe in divination, but as his Occlumency classes advanced, he still kept having some strange dreams. After analyzing the dreams, the three friends, along with Headmaster Dumbledore and Firenze, realized that Harry would dream of some events before they occurred.
Harry got up from his bed and put some clothes on.
"Where are we going?"
He turned to see Ron trying to pull his arms into an old Weasley jumper that had stopped being his size five minutes after he got it.
"Oh, no Ron, you are not going anywhere. You have to finish your homework very early tomorrow morning and I am not going to be responsible if you don't wake up because you are too sleepy."
"Aw, come on, Harry. You are in no condition to go running around the castle after curfew, and as a perfect I can give you detention for it."
"Nice try Ron, but I fear the wrath of our 'Mione if I don't go see the Headmaster more than your possible detention-giving if I do. Besides, I'm just going to see if the Headmaster's awake; this is not urgent but it could be."
"Yeah, right, you just don't want me to come because you're meeting up with Anthony Goldstein for some snogging."
That comment did exactly what Ron expected it to do. Harry turned a bright shade of red and started to splutter and shake his head.
"Ronald Weasley, you big wanker. I am not going to be snogging with Anthony Goldstein tonight, you know that very well. I don't even know the guy."
Then Harry's Slytherin side took over.
"You just want to come with me so you can wake up Hermione and go snogging yourself."
Ron let a small chuckle escape him and raised his hands in a sign of surrender.
"I won't deny it mate, I won't deny it."
Harry walked slowly, trying to gather some composure or at least steady his trembling hands. Hiding it from Ron had not been easy, but the dream had a disturbing effect on him. He had a permanent pass for this kind of situations so he wasn't worried about getting caught by Filch. He was, however, very tired of all the dreams, visions and ghosts of a war in which, whether he wanted it or not, he was a key player.
He reached the statue of the gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office and gave the emergency password.
"Dog star." Sirius...
The password would set off an alarm alerting the Headmaster to Harry's presence in his office. Harry took a seat while he waited. He looked at the sleeping portraits and phoenix. Minutes passed and he wondered what could be taking the Headmaster so long, since usually he was in the room before the stairs deposited Harry in the office.
"Harry."
The student was startled by the sound of the Headmaster's voice coming from the fire place.
"I apologize for startling you, my boy, but I am currently at Professor Snape's chambers. Would you terribly mind coming down? There's a special corridor that should be open now, and it will make your journey to the dungeons shorter."
"Sure Headmaster, I'll be right down."
As he turned around, Harry found the library that covered the right wall had opened and through it could be seen a secret passage. He took it and walked for a while, making abrupt turns and trying not to fall down the steep stairs. He was surprised to realize that it ended behind the library of the potion's master's sitting room.
The headmaster was sitting on the sofa with a pot of tea freshly made in front of him.
"Tea, Harry?"
"Thank you, sir."
"Tell me, child, what brings you to me at these hours?"
"A dream sir, a prophecy I think, although if Professor Snape is out, then it might have been a vision."
He paused to accept the cup of tea he was offered and took a sip before continuing.
"It was outside a village, I don't know the name, there's an orphanage, a muggle one. It was being attacked by Death Eaters, they killed everyone there, the children and I think there were nuns, too. Wait, there was a full moon, so it wasn't tonight. Oh and Bellatrix was leading the attack. She was looking for something; the nuns were trying to hide it from her. And for every time she had to ask where the thing was, I couldn't hear the name of it, she killed one of the children. When they told her it wasn't there anymore, she killed them all, all the children, then the nuns, and then she set the place on fire and left the Dark Mark floating above it. I woke up after that."
He took another sip of his already cold tea.
"I know it doesn't help much, but that's all I know."
"Don't mind yourself with that, Harry. At least we have something to work with, and maybe our new spy will be able to learn something. You have given us a lead, and we would probably be lost without it."
"Uhm, Headmaster? Where is Professor Snape? Isn't it dangerous for him to leave the school grounds?"
"He's doing an errand for the Order, Harry; don't trouble yourself thinking about it."
The teenager let it go since there was a little voice coming from one of the bedrooms. He ran to take care of Evan before Julian woke up.
"Hey Evan, are you ok?"
He settled on the bed besides the groggy child, putting an arm around him and rubbing his arm in a soothing motion.
"Harry?" It was a small, sleepy voice. "Where's father?"
"He's out, but I'm here with you. Go back to sleep, you're safe with me."
"Ok." And just like that, the seven year old went back to sleep.
Harry settled him back under the covers and returned to the living room to find Dumbledore looking at him with that knowing and annoying twinkle in his eyes. He raised his eyebrow in question. Albus just chuckled and motioned for him to sit beside him.
"You seem used to this."
"I am. Evan has nightmares occasionally; it's almost as if he knows Snape's not here and he gets worried. Sometimes Julian wakes up, too and then nothing will get them back to sleep but the arrival of their father."
"I see, and what do you do then?"
"I read to them, we sit on the couch and wait and I tell them stories and stuff."
He was getting embarrassed and worried by the twinkle that looked more like a beacon light, it was so shiny. The Headmaster was up to something and he definitely didn't like it. He was brought out of his musings by the familiar sounds of the wards to the room being opened by Snape.
Severus found them sitting on his couch, and was a little surprised to find Potter there, although he didn't let it show. His face was as stoic as always.
"Headmaster, Potter."
"Severus, your report can wait. Mr. Potter here has had a vision."
Harry found himself blushing and was a little upset at Dumbledore; he didn't want to give Snape the idea that he liked getting attention or anything like that. He repeated his dream and waited for some kind of information, but all he received was a cold dismissal.
"Very well Harry, you can leave now, it's late."
As he was letting himself outside, Snape stopped him.
"Mr. Potter, I have to leave the castle all day Saturday without the children, I'll meet you here at ten am."
Harry didn't know if he should feel offended or happy about the fact that Snape expected him to spend the day taking care of his children without a second thought. He really didn't know how to tell him he couldn't make it.
"Uhm, Professor, I'm sorry but I kind of have this thing on Saturday and I can't break it."
"A thing, Mr. Potter?"
"Uhmm yes, I kind of have a date and since I already said yes, it would be rude to cancel the day before."
"A date?"
Harry rushed to explain, getting a little afraid of the sneer on Snape's face. It was a sneer that hadn't been directed at him in months and that he never wanted to see directed at him ever again.
"Yes, you see Anthony Goldstein kind of invited me to Hogsmeade. And I didn't know he wanted a date but he did, so now I have to go out with him. But if you can't find anyone else to take care of the kids, I'll get out of it and take care of them, sir."
He knew he was rambling, but he really didn't like the sneer on Snape's face.
For a second Snape thought of telling Harry to cancel the date but the look the Headmaster gave him made him aware Dumbledore would not put up with it. And besides, he didn't know why the thought of Potter on a date made him feel uneasy.
"That's all right Potter, go on your little date. I am sure Draco will not mind helping out."
Oh, to be replaced by Draco Malfoy! That was a low blow to his ego, but he would not give Snape the satisfaction of seeing that he had struck a sore spot. It didn't matter that the ferret had been somewhat decent recently; taking care of Snape's children was his job and no one was supposed to do it for him. He nodded to the two professors.
"Very well, Professor, I'm sure he will be ecstatic to help. I'll see you tomorrow."
That night Harry had nightmares of Draco Malfoy taking Evan and Julian away from him and Snape laughing at the sight.
It was a fairly nice Saturday morning. Birds were chirping, snow had fallen, and the grounds were covered in it in a way that made them look like clouds. Everything was pristine and untouched. It had Harry Potter in a good mood. Not only was it a lovely day, but he had had no nightmares the previous night, of any kind, and it kind of had him looking forward to his date with Anthony in a curious sort of way.
He'd never thought about dating a boy. It had simply never occurred to him, but now that he thought about it, he kind of liked the idea. At least he'd have much more in common with Anthony than with Cho, and it was almost a given that this Ravenclaw would not burst into tears every five minutes like the first had. And, most likely, he wouldn't want to go to Madame Puddifoot's.
As he walked down the stairs to the Gryffindor common room, the oblivious boy never saw it coming.
"Harry!" It came as a shriek from two voices at once.
Hermione and Ginny assaulted him at the bottom of the stairs. All he could hear were mumbles and screams as they dragged and attacked him mercilessly. He could hear snippets of their rambling.
"What are you wearing? – old clothes – no sense of style – what is that? - the hair- Hermione, look at the hair! - and – men!" This last was huffed by Ginny in her exasperation at poor Harry's fashion sense.
"All right, calm down girls, stop it or I swear I'll hex you! Don't think I won't."
Both girls backed down but kept on looking at him with contempt.
"Ok, now tell me what is this all about?"
"Oh, Harry Harry, Harry, you cannot possibly think we would let you go out with those clothes?"
" 'Mione, these are my regular clothes."
"I know, but this is not a regular day, is it?"
"I guess not..."
"No it's not, and that hair... Harry, I love you like another brother but I cannot let you go out with that mop of hair running amuck on your head. I've lived with seven men, trust me dear, that thing does not impress anyone," Ginny started.
Suddenly Harry was very, very afraid.
"Well, what do you suggest, then?"
Twin mischievous grins sprung on the girls' faces. They had a willing victim on their hands.
"First, we have to go back upstairs and change those clothes. I'm sure Dean and Seamus won't mind if we borrow something..."
Ginny carried on with the sentence.
"And then we are going to style your hair, Lavender and Parvati taught me tons about it in fourth year. You'll see, Harry, you won't be disappointed; we'll make you look smashing."
The giggling that followed made Harry even more nervous than he was, and his beautiful morning was turning into a nightmare.
He led them into the boy's room, but was stopped short by Hermione's scream.
"Is that... Hogwarts: a History on the floor?"
A very creeped-out Harry nodded.
"What the devil is it doing on the floor?" exclaimed Hermione irately.
Harry tried not to laugh.
"Hermione, this is a boys' room, everything is on the floor."
It was the appointed time and Anthony was waiting for Harry on the front steps of the school. He was very nervous but confident that he at least looked good. He was wearing muggle clothes as they were more comfortable than robes, and also because he knew that since Harry had been raised by Muggles, he would probably wear them, too. Harry did wear them all the time, Anthony knew; he paid attention.
He was wearing baggy grey-ish blue jeans and a light blue polo shirt with trainers and a coat. Elegant but casual. He was not his dormmates' favorite person right now, since he had woken up at six am and started looking for the perfect outfit, waking them up in the process. They had not been very supportive. In the end, though, he really thought it had been worth it.
It hadn't helped that yesterday in Potions, Professor Snape was crueler than ever, especially to the Ravenclaws. It was very strange, since usually he was only like that with the Gryffindors and the Hufflepufs. Worst of all, he seemed to have it against Anthony in particular. Snape had asked him a million questions, criticized his potion, which had been perfect, by the way, and given Anthony detention for allegedly talking back to him. It was absolutely unheard of!
He was shaken out of his musings by the vision of Harry coming down the stairs. He was wearing light low rise Diesel jeans courtesy of Dean--they were a little bit too long since he was the shortest in the dorm--a long-sleeved dark blue t-shirt that hid half of his hands (thanks to Seamus), with a bright yellow short-sleeved t-shirt over it that amazingly brought out the green of his eyes (that was Ron's, of course), dark blue trainers that were his own; he had bought them last summer, although he had had to hide them from his "family," and finally over his hands a jean jacket, Seamus again.
He looked good. His hair was not tamed, as that was practically impossible. Hermione had styled it so that, even though it was messy, it looked like it was deliberately mussed. It, too, brought out his eyes. Ginny had insisted on transfiguring his glasses so that now they were thin and silver, which made his face look less childish and more sophisticated.
The girls had tried to put some make up on him but he had absolutely refused. He was not going to wear it, even if they claimed it would hide his scar. It would be useless anyway since he still looked very much like himself. Maybe he would use it on another opportunity when the purpose of his outing was less public, more undercover.
"Hi, Harry. Here, let me help you."
Anthony ran to help Harry put his jacket on. The green-eyed teen felt awkward but let him anyway. They stepped outside and Harry was glad of the heating charms he had applied to his clothes. It was freezing and without them, this attire would do nothing to fight the cold.
They headed towards Hogsmeade, walking in uncomfortable silence until Anthony struck up the universal subject of Quidditch. They talked about brooms, players, teams, and the possibility of Harry playing professionally after graduation, which was slim given that Voldemort might still be around.
Once the ice was broken, Harry had an enjoyable time. They talked about classes, the houses, anything but the war. It was relaxing for Harry; he didn't have to think about the Order, what Dumbledore was hiding from him this time, Draco Malfoy taking care of 'his kids,' and especially Severus Snape. The latter had regained his title of greasy git status in Harry's mind, even though he was not greasy when outside the potions classroom.
They went first to the bookstore. Then they went on to Zonko's and later had lunch at the Three Broomsticks. All was going well, that is until they felt a flash going off to their right. As Harry turned, he faced at least seven reporters and a handful of photographers that zoomed in on them.
"Harry, are you having fun on your date?"
"Has he kissed you yet?"
"Have you kissed him?"
He felt anger rising; had he absolutely no private life? Who could understand these people? One day they loved him, the next he was insane, then he was a liar and the next day the only hope of the wizarding world. He couldn't take it. He looked over at Anthony, who didn't seem uncomfortable, but that was because he wasn't getting all the heat.
He grabbed Anthony's hand and headed towards the exit. He did not want to lose his temper in front of his date.
Anthony stopped to pay Madam Rosmerta for their meal, and they were on their way back to Hogwarts. They walked in silence most of the way, side by side, stealing shy glances at one another, neither knowing what to say.
"I'm sorry they ruined our date."
"What? Harry, there's no need to apologize. If it's anyone's fault it's my own. I should have known they would have found out about this and decide to follow you around. It's not the first time they've done it. Besides, it wasn't ruined; did you have a good time?"
"Yes."
At Harry's shy response, Anthony gave him a huge grin and took his hand. Neither one stopped walking. The feel of Anthony's hand on his own made Harry feel nice, although something was missing. He didn't mind, besides, this was their first date anyway; nice was just fine by him.
"So, if you enjoyed the date and I did, too, then there's no need to let those reporters ruin it."
"Ok."
A/N: So, I hope this was god enough. It was really hard to write since I didn't have a computer half of the time and then I started classes and it has been hell I have to read soooo much it's making me crazy and also, I'm starting to date this new guy so forget any free time a all! I hope you all like it.
A/N 2: Ok, so I was a little late finishing the chapter but I have a very valid reason!! There's this other story I read which if I may add was written after chapter 6 of LOoB and they have Harry going out with Anthony even though the main pairing is Harry/Draco or Harry/Snape I'm not sure, it got me very upset because even though it's not exactly the same, the situation is kind of similar and I felt kind of cheated, so I didn't want to write at all, it may be just a coincidence but its in a yahoo group and I don't know. I may be over reacting since Anthony is a canon character but I still don't like it, as I said the situation was kind of the same and it hurt a little. But I'm over it now and here's a kind of long chapter 7 that I really hope you all liked.
Last but not least, reviews: I had written all of the reviews I received and had special responses to all of them but with the move and everything I kind of lost the latter half so I'm soooo sorry but thanks to all who reviewed and sorry to the ones I miss.
So thanks to the following for their reviews of LOoB 6: DBZHakushoMoonBopV, nerd-girl (ohhhh love your fics, love them to death!!! I'm honored you like my story!), toamanda, catsncritters, ankhbearer3 (you're right, you're right I wouldn't dare say otherwise), Kaaera and Mikee (glad you loved it but it's not mine, it's the quote from Ocean's Eleven), Lenora (I do too, do you think it's normal?), Abinikai (thanks I like the accepting world too, I really don't like homophobic world it's too complicated and brings unnecessary angst), Dracula5555 (hope this chap answers your question), Amanda Saitou (no one can take sevs place except in One Thing because it's a HP/RL pairing, (shameless self propaganda here!), Anarane Anwamane, Prongsblacks, Fortísimo (I thought the same thing, I believe the Dursley's haven't said absolutely nothing about sex to poor Harry so he must be as oblivious to sex as he was to magic...), Lutheyl x 3, R ishika (ohhhh I love a nice long review), Jen, Winnie2, CyclopsStorm, Strega (Thanks for the review and this is definitively slash), Kally, borne-shadow-childe (that was very, very, confusing and a bit disturbing too but thanks for the review anyway), jbcna, kathy stgqvk, FallenPhoenix721, insanechildfanfic, Kyra Invictus Black, GemJewel, navi-the-sprite, clingon87, pokey-chan, Lady Shang, Wolflady, SiLvErFaTeD, ataraxis, Bound-to-Evanesce, Julianna Edwards (you caught me, I put the quotes in so people will be forced to review! It's a nice way to interact with reviewers and I understand you 100 because I was the same until I started writing and became addicted to reviews so now I try to review as much as possible!), Tazthedevilman (thanks I am better now. Just very, very sore but it gets better every day), LeeLeePotter, lily, athenakitty (your review was like the ending of an old batman show, stay tunned and maybe your ques tions will be answered), xikum (it's all coming, it's all coming), Samantha, Kateri1, Lisa13, Ahmad53832 (i did change it a little but it was mostly style and not content so maybe that's it), ShiTiger, Lady Suger, Kenny7, Crys Skywalker, jez two, loonie lupin, ardent, Lady Darkness13, EireVerde, DBZHakushoMoonBop, Samantha, ShiTiger, kateri1, Lisa13, ahmad10, nerd-girl, toamanda, catsncriters, ankhbearer3, kaera, Lenora, Abinikai, Dracula5555,Amanda Saitou, Anarane Anwamane, Prongsblacks, Fortissimo, Lutheyl, rishika, jen, CyclopsStorm, Strega, Cydah, kally, amogst others.