Chapter Five: In Which Attempts Are Annual
"So," he said, when Harry had finally removed the banner and thrown it into a corner. "Congratulations."
"Thanks, mate! It's early this year!"
Whatever Ron was expecting Harry to say, this wasn't it.
"Huh? What's early this year?" inquired Ron, confused.
"Ummm, y'know, the annual attempt by forces of nature or Voldemort —"
Ron flinched.
"— to harm me? Through dismemberment, poisoning, soul sucking, beheading, cursing or otherwise?" said Harry nonchalantly.
"Er — what do you mean by annual?"
"First year — Quirellmort, second year — Basilisk, third year — hundreds of Dementors," recited Harry. "All of which happened during the final days of the year! But the trend is broken! Now, it's me versus practically every Hufflepuff at Hogwarts, their angry friends and whatnot, plus whatever life-threatening challenges the Triwizard Tournament throws at me! And it isn't even Christmas yet! Voldemort definitely upped the ante this year, eh?"
"Right," Ron said, looking at him with a strange expression in his face. "I'm going to bed, so g'night!"
Ron didn't go to sleep and stayed awake, pondering what Harry had said. Harry Potter was always subject of extremes. . . . Even people wanting to save his life somehow ended up endangering him! He fondly thought of Dobby and his obsession with socks. It wasn't Harry's fault that he was always the centre of attention, it was You-Know-Who's, he concluded. And he didn't want fame if it meant that it came at such a cost. . . . He shook the morbid thoughts out of his mind and decided that he would be the best mate Harry needed right now. . . .
The next day, there wasn't a single thing that could deter Harry from his buzz. He was in his element, standing strong against the taunts, outright insults and even death threats. He thought about Dobby and what he had said that day in the hospital wing — 'Dobby is used to death threats, sir. Dobby gets them five times a day at home!' Harry's life with the Dursleys was about the same, so he wasn't too shaken by it all. It was great he had Ron and Hermione with him for company, though. . . .
AN: Warm and fuzzy! That's what I'm feeling!