Romantic (Mis)adventures

Chapter 41

Saturday, March 1

It was nearing eleven at night when Harry finally got to his dorm. He was still a bit shaken by the fact that Ron had been poisoned right in front of his eyes. Everyone was grateful he got the bezoar to Ron in the nick of time, but he could not imagine what would have happened if he hadn't come across it in the Prince's Potions book.

And to top it all off, Hagrid had let slip that Dumbledore had had a disagreement with Snape. He had a feeling that Sirius was right. Dumbledore knew much more than he let on and would likely not want Harry taking matters in his own hands and do something foolish.

But Ron could have likely died today and if Malfoy was behind the attack, he could not sit by and watch Malfoy targeting those who were close to him.

He knew that Malfoy was disappearing for long hours from the Marauder's Map. He had a fleeting idea to ask Sirius how that could be possible but quickly decided against it. Sirius had wheedled a promise out of Harry during the holidays that he would not meddle with Malfoy unnecessarily, even though Harry had already known he couldn't keep that promise.

He sighed as he got into his bed after pulling on his pajamas. The rest of the boys in his dorm were already asleep, not knowing that Ron had been poisoned. Harry suspected the news would have travelled throughout Hogwarts by breakfast tomorrow. He drew the curtains around himself and fell back into his bed, wondering again what Malfoy could be doing when he was not on the map.

If only he had someone who could keep an eye on Malfoy at all times, even when Harry was in class…

He quickly sat up, exhilarated by the idea. He could ask Twitchet to follow him and find out where he went!

Almost as soon as he thought of it, he deflated once he tried to think it through. Sirius would figure out if Twitchet was absent from Potter Manor. And would she even be allowed inside Hogwarts? Sure, Dobby had popped in to warn him during his second-year despite being—

Dobby! Harry grinned in the dark, feeling euphoric at his brainwave. Dobby would only be too eager to help. He would find Dobby tomorrow in the kitchens and tell him to keep an eye on Malfoy and if possible find out where he went.

Feeling his buzzing mind ease after that resolution, he fell asleep.

oOo

As he had guessed, everyone in Hogwarts had come to know that Ron had been poisoned and had endlessly asked Harry, and by extension, Hermione and Ginny, how it had happened. People did not think too much of it though – they suspected it was only an accident. He was in the Potion teacher's study when it happened after all. And he had been given the antidote immediately, so there would be no lasting harm.

Hermione finished her breakfast more quickly than usual and got up. "I'm going to the library, Harry. I'll need a few books for my Arithmancy homework."

"I'll be at the Hospital Wing," said Harry and with a nod, Hermione hurried off.

Ginny, who was sitting opposite him, followed Hermione's retreating form and smirked. "I'll bet a sickle she'll get to the Hospital Wing faster than you."

Harry sniggered. "I'm not betting against that."

"How long do you think before Ron finally comes around and realizes he fancies Hermione?" asked Neville from beside Harry, surreptitiously glancing at Lavender, who was sitting a few seats away. "It's painfully obvious. I wonder who Ron is trying to fool hanging out with Lavender."

Ginny chuckled. "He can be completely thick when it comes to Hermione."

"Hermione's not acting so smart now either," pointed out Harry.

"Love can make a fool out of even the smartest witches," floated a dreamy voice and Harry looked up to see Luna, who joined them from the Ravenclaw table.

Neville was greeting Luna happily, but Harry noticed Ginny had turned pink and was trying to hide it by taking a sip of her pumpkin juice.

Luna was saying, "—and I am going to try out. I heard there's no one applying for the post and decided I could give it a try."

Harry had no idea what she was talking about as he was busy glancing at Ginny out of the corner of his eyes, but Neville looked taken aback. "Oh, I hope you get it. I think you'll do well."

"Thanks, Neville," said Luna beaming.

"I have to go," said Ginny abruptly. "I said I'd meet Dean."

"Ooh, enjoy yourself, Ginny," said Luna, her protuberant eyes wide.

Harry, who felt like he had something stuck in his throat, said hoarsely, "Yeah, have fun."

She turned back to wave at him and left, her red hair swinging behind her jauntily. Neville and Luna resumed their conversation and a miserable Harry was confronted with Lavender, who had come up to him and asked all sorts of questions about Ron for the second time that morning. He excused himself finally after ten minutes and left for the kitchens.

Since it was a Sunday, Harry did not have to worry about missed classes. The corridors were mostly empty, as everyone had taken to the outdoors to enjoy their first snow-free Sunday.

Harry walked leisurely as he rounded the corner behind a suit of armour and stopped dead. It was Ginny – along with Dean; the latter was holding her hand and talking in whispers very close to her. Even as Harry felt a blow to his stomach, he managed to keep his composure as he turned to walk away hastily.

"Harry?" said Ginny's voice and he turned back hesitantly to find Ginny and Dean staring at him. Dean had moved a little further away from Ginny and looked very embarrassed, but Ginny looked unabashed.

"Uh, sorry," mumbled Harry, dearly wishing he had put on his Invisibility Cloak. It was just inside the pocket of his robes after all.

"Whatever for?" Ginny wondered aloud and Dean whispered, "Let's go somewhere else."

"I was just heading to the kitchens," explained Harry unnecessarily.

"Didn't you just have breakfast, mate?" asked Dean, snorting.

Harry shrugged unapologetically but did not reply. The moment could not have gotten more awkward with all three of them simply staring at each other when Dean took hold of Ginny's hand tentatively. He looked at Harry before looking at Ginny and said, "Come, Ginny. We'll better go somewhere private."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Thank goodness Ron isn't here to hear that."

Dean looked at Harry, amusement clear in his eyes, before the couple walked away.

Harry stood there frozen. He had wondered all through the Christmas holidays of how he could get Ginny to notice him. Yes, she was with Dean and though it inspired some sort of hatred towards him, Harry knew he wasn't to blame for his predicament. Dean was of a good sort and he had supported Harry last year when even his best friend hadn't and joined the DA without Seamus' knowledge. Harry had no right to be petty against Dean. He had gotten to Ginny first after all.

What had he been doing while Ginny grew up to be a smart and beautiful girl?

Of course, he had been too busy dealing with a prophecy that would determine his fate. Ginny was free and she had her whole life ahead of her. Harry could see nothing but Voldemort at the end of his road. It wasn't his fault that he hadn't taken time for a girlfriend in his life, other than pretend ones.

Which brought him to another matter that had been nagging him ever since Parvati had 'broken-up' with him. Parvati's father had gotten a death threat over the holidays. There could be any number of reasons why he had gotten it, but Parvati was afraid that one of them could be because of him.

Would he want to put Ginny's life on the line too if she ditched Dean and became his girlfriend by some miracle?

The answer to that was obvious.

Ron had just been poisoned. The Weasleys were already in danger simply because Harry was close to them and Ron was his best friend. He would not have anything happening to Ginny be on his conscience too.

"Harry Potter, sir!" came an excited voice and Harry jumped in surprise. He had reached the kitchens while he had been pondering his non-existent romantic life and the door was open with Dobby standing by the entrance with his tea-cosy hat and layers of jumpers.

"Harry Potter has come to visit Dobby!" squeaked the elf happily.

"Er—yes. How are you Dobby?" asked Harry as Dobby grabbed his hand and ushered him inside.

"Dobby is doing we, Harry Potter sir. Does Harry Potter wish to have something to eat?" the elf asked enthusiastically. The other house-elves were already pushing flagons of pumpkin juice and carrot cake towards him.

"No, thank you. I just ate," declined Harry. "On second thought, I'll take some of these for Ron and Hermione. I came down here because I need you to do something for me, Dobby."

Dobby looked delighted as he bowed. "Dobby will be honoured to help you, Harry Potter!"

oOo

Saturday, March 8

Sirius walked quickly through the corridors of Hogwarts, some students scurrying away or stopping to stare when they saw him. Dumbledore had sent Sirius a letter through Fawkes, telling him of Harry's Quidditch injury. Although, it was already mended and nothing to worry about, Dumbledore was using the opportunity to let Sirius come to Hogwarts so that he could meet with him and discuss the Order's latest news.

Still, Sirius had to see Harry first.

The Hospital Wing was empty save for the two beds on the far right surrounded by visitors. Hermione was standing next to Ron, who was lying against his pillows with his eyes closed. He wasn't asleep, as Sirius could see him replying to whatever it was that Hermione had said to him.

Sirius knew Ron had nearly been poisoned from the twins, who had mentioned it to him during one of their Order meetings. He had hoped to hear from Harry about it, but Harry had not contacted him through the mirror since the last conversation they had regarding Horcruxes. Sirius knew Harry must have been busy with Quidditch this past week and so didn't think about it too much.

Ginny, still in her Quidditch robes, was sitting next to Harry along with a boy and a girl from their team.

Hermione stood up when she saw him. "Sirius," she said in greeting and Sirius caught the full view of Harry lying prone on the bed with his head bandaged heavily and fast asleep.

The rational part of him knew he was alright, but Sirius could not help but feel a tad anxious on seeing Harry so vulnerable.

"Who did this?"

Ron, fully awake now, sat up on his bed with a grimace. "Cormac McLaggen. And he was on our team."

"If I get my hands on him…" growled Sirius.

"You won't have to," grumbled Ginny as she looked at Harry once before striding out of the Hospital Wing along with the other two teammates, looking as angry as Sirius felt.

"Afternoon, Professor McGonagall," said the other girl as she left the Hospital wing just as McGonagall herself entered.

"Afternoon, Miss Robins," McGonagall nodded before catching Sirius' eye. "Ah Sirius, you're here. Dumbledore is expecting you."

"I just got here," said Sirius exasperatedly.

"And you know it was strictly unnecessary," said McGonagall tartly. "Poppy fixed him in a trice; he'll wake up by the evening and be on his feet by tomorrow."

Sirius sighed before looking back at Ron and Hermione. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

oOo

When Sirius finally left the Headmaster's Office and headed back to the Hospital Wing, the sky was dark with streaks of orange. Lamps were lit along the corridors and there were much less students around.

His mood brightened when he saw Harry was already sitting up with a furious expression on his face beside a gleeful looking Ron.

Sirius' arrival interrupted whatever conversation they were having, and Harry grinned on seeing him.

"What are you doing here?" asked Harry.

Sirius stopped and shrugged. "Well, if you don't want me here—"

"Don't be thick, Sirius," said Harry, rolling his eyes good-naturedly as he shifted against his pillows to make space for him.

"It's a pity nobody will show me the boy who did this," said Sirius as he sat on the foot of his bed. "I'd like to give him a piece of my mind."

Ron sniggered. "Hate to break it to you, Sirius, but you shouldn't have a go at him. He's about the size of a troll!"

"There's always a good hex or two—"

"I hope for your sake you aren't giving them any ideas, Black." Professor McGonagall looked stern as she strode into the Hospital Wing, carrying an envelope in one hand.

"You can't tell me you aren't upset we lost because of that boy, Minerva," said Sirius, raising his eyebrows.

"I heard that Miss Weasley, Peakes, and Coote have, to put it politely, 'dealt with him'." Sirius was certain he wasn't imagining the smugness in her tone as she said that.

Ron looked considerably cheerful. "I would have given an arm to see that!"

"Whatever were you thinking putting him on your team anyway?" said Sirius, rounding on Harry.

"It's not like I wanted him on the team!" said Harry, glancing at Ron involuntarily. "I had no choice."

"What are you looking at me for? It's not my fault I was poisoned!" exclaimed Ron.

"Anyway," interrupted McGonagall as she handed the envelope in her hand to Sirius. "I came here to ask you to deliver this to Hestia. She wrote to me regarding something that she was researching and I have—"

She was interrupted by the doors slamming open and Sirius saw Tonks sprinting towards them, looking flushed with happiness.

"Sirius! Harry! Guess wha—Oof!"

In her haste, she bumped into McGonagall and at the same time seemed to try to avoid bumping into her – which only caused her to stumble over. McGonagall caught her by the arm before she could hit the floor and told her sternly, "Do watch where you're going, Miss Tonks."

"Sorry, Professor," she muttered before turning to look at them again enthusiastically. "Guess what happened?"

"Well, tell us before you explode," said Sirius, trying to hide his smirk. He knew he was unsuccessful when Harry looked at him curiously.

She held out her arm and a ring glistened there. "I'm engaged!"

Harry's eyes widened and Ron exclaimed, "Blimey!"

Only McGonagall replied appropriately, "Congratulations!"

Harry and Ron recovered quickly and congratulated Tonks, whose face looked about to split in two with happiness.

"When was this?" asked Sirius, grinning.

"Nearly four hours ago," said Tonks in a dreamy voice. "It was perfect! Remus even got down on one knee and—you already knew about this, didn't you?"

The look on Sirius' face was enough of a giveaway. "He's been planning it for weeks, that plonker."

McGonagall said warmly, "A celebratory toast is in order, Nymphadora—"

"It's Tonks, Professor!"

"Or Mrs. Lupin," said Harry, smirking.

Tonks blushed and shook her head in disbelief. "It's going to be so weird to get used to that."

McGonagall raised her wand, and a bottle of Rosmerta's mead and five silver goblets appeared on a tray beside Harry's bed.

"Cheers!" chuckled Sirius as he tapped the cork with his wand, which flew out, and he poured a good measure for each of them.

Ron looked at it warily. "Uh, no thank you." Clearly, the memory of his poisoning wasn't easy to forget.

"The best way to overcome your fears is to face them again," said Sirius as he handed Ron the goblet, who took it reluctantly.

McGonagall raised her goblet in a toast. "To Remus and Tonks!"

"To Remus and Tonks!" echoed everyone cheerfully.

The doors to the Hospital Wing slammed open and Madam Pomfrey bustled in, looking shocked. "Potter, I thought I told you not to overexert yourse— Minerva!" She halted on seeing McGonagall. "What is this?"

"We're celebrating, Poppy," said McGonagall. "Come, have some mead."

She handed a goblet to Pomfrey, who looked puzzled. "What are we celebrating?"

"I'm engaged, Madam Pomfrey!" beamed Tonks happily.

"Oh! Congratulations, dear," said Pomfrey. "To who?"

"Remus Lupin," said Sirius and she turned to look at him. Pomfrey was surprised and slightly shocked on seeing him for the first time since Azkaban, but she quickly schooled her expression to one of happiness.

"He was a fine boy, Lupin," said Pomfrey, smiling. "You have chosen well, dear."

Tonks grinned, "Thanks Madam Pomfrey!"

"Please, call me Poppy."

Tonks indulged her request before they toasted again to Remus and Tonks. The celebration finally winded down when Pomfrey noted Harry was squinting and immediately deduced he was having a headache. She vanished the goblets of mead and berated Ron for drinking after only a week of being poisoned. Before Ron could point fingers at Sirius, he bid Harry a quick goodbye and hurried out with Tonks. They left Hogwarts together for a drink in the Hog's Head where Tonks gave him a detailed account of Remus' proposal. He couldn't wait to torment Remus for days with the information.

oOo

Saturday, March 15

The sky was cloudy with patches of blue, and a chilly breeze ruffled his hair as Sirius was on Order duty that day in Upper Flagley. He was watching an extraordinarily old-looking building at the end of a narrow street with a grotesque looking gargoyle beside a door that had no doorknob or keyhole. There was no board proclaiming the name of the shop and the windows were darkened.

The building was actually a wizarding establishment, a tavern named Ye Olde Gargoyle, catering to witches and wizards who knew the password to enter it – something Sirius had discovered on their very first day of duty outside the tavern involving disguising himself as a lovable stray dog, much to Hestia's amusement. Kingsley had tipped them off about the tavern serving as a recreational spot for Death Eaters and their would-be lackeys. Since Sirius and Hestia had been pulled off of watching Bellatrix's house, they had been tasked with watching this place for Death Eaters.

The only unusual activity he had noticed that day was a snippet of conversation carelessly thrown around in drunken humour by two men. Sirius had had more fun watching the muggles as they went about their daily life, blissfully unaware of the wizards slipping in and out of the tavern.

After five hours standing in the same location under a disillusionment charm, he was tired and hungry and couldn't wait to get home for lunch.

A tall muggle woman in a pea-coat was walking straight towards him and Sirius watched her in idle fascination. He was certain of who it was when she came up to him. Only Hestia knew where Sirius hid despite being disillusioned.

Sirius sighed in relief as he led her behind a narrow alleyway with rubbish overflowing from the bins. The two of them had been watching this tavern for nearly a week now and had immediately gotten familiar with their routine and hiding places. "Thank goodness you're here! I'm starving."

Hestia pursed her lips and cast a muffling charm around her before saying, "Now you get the idea of what it's like for me waiting around for you. Besides, I'm exactly on time."

Sirius couldn't help but smirk at that. "As always."

He took off his disillusioning charm as Hestia said, "What's the report?"

"The Death Eaters could be using this tavern as a meeting point," said Sirius. "I saw a bloke today drinking with someone else, laughing about the fact that they Imperiused a kid. Tried to get him to kill his own parents."

"How horrible," said Hestia. "You don't think he was under the Imperius, do you?"

"I don't reckon anyone under the Imperius would be laughing about that," said Sirius.

"Can a person under the Imperius curse actually put an Imperius on another person?" asked Hestia curiously.

"Good point," said Sirius. "It could be a Death Eater in all fairness. I'm not exactly familiar with all of their faces."

There was a moment when they both lingered around, glancing at the pedestrians. Sirius, who hated awkward silences, decided to set off home. "Well, I guess I'll be—"

He was cut-off when the glowing Patronus form of a falcon soared right in front of them. It opened its beak to speak in Elphias Doge's urgent voice.

"Being ambushed in my house. Need help immediately."

Sirius and Hestia looked at each other wide-eyed before Disapparating immediately together to the outskirts of a farm in Devon.

It was noon; the weather here was warmer than in Upper Flagley and the place was quiet. But when they got closer, they could hear shouts and a bang coming from the cottage in front of them. Two hooded figures brandishing wands stood near the entrance, duelling the elderly Doge, but there was no sign of surrender from either of them. Sirius and Hestia rushed to help when they heard a faint pop and saw Mad-Eye too appear outside Doge's house.

One of the hooded figures saw the new arrival and came forward to meet them with a Killing Curse straight at them. Sirius and Hestia leaped away from it on either side, and Sirius immediately fired a Stunning spell that he managed to block easily.

The Death Eater sneered, "Black is it? The Dark Lord shall reward me if I were to finish you off for him too."

Hestia shot a 'Reducto!' that destroyed his mask, revealing the snarling face of Travers, who sent a spell that made Hestia fly backwards a few feet before crashing onto the ground. Sirius used his distraction to send a cutting hex that hit him straight across the chest. Travers yelled in pain and Sirius only had a moment of triumph before Travers sent a bone-breaking hex that hit his arm, making him drop his wand.

Reeling with pain and unable to lift his wand arm, Sirius concentrated with all his might to summon his wand to his left hand as he murmured 'Accio wand!'

Travers was holding a hand to his chest to stem the flow of blood that was drenching his robes and came running towards him, raising his wand simultaneously. Sirius felt a soft hand grab his broken forearm and he felt his body beginning to wind up in preparation for Disapparition when he saw Travers making a lunge at him. Raising his wand with his left arm, he had only a second to yell 'Impedimenta!'

He heard a shrill scream and the pain in his forearm became so intense that he passed out.

oOo

A/N: Thanks to evadnekapaneos as always for beta'ing this chapter :)

Virtual cookies to depressedwitch for being the 300th follower

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