Acknowledgments: Rpeh for the beta work.
I Like This Place and Could Willingly Waste My Time In It
"Remind me again why I'm the guinea pig for the Devil's Snare?" Harry asked as a wobbling vine snaked around his chest and arms. It took more self-control than he'd like to admit to let the vines have their way.
"It's not Devil's Snare," Neville corrected as he watched the vines affix themselves to Harry. He had his wand trained on some of the vines but Harry wasn't sure if he was waiting to do something if they attacked, or if he was leading the attack himself.
"We took a vote," Padma said. She was sitting in the corner of what once was the Muggle Studies classroom and paging through a catalogue. Harry peered around the enhanced room and marveled at the amount of activity currently ongoing.
Neville and the plants surrounded him in a claustrophobic mass that he was doing his best ignore. Which grew increasingly more difficult as one of the vines wrapped around his neck. A quick flick of Neville's wand eased the pressure immediately, but it still made Harry tense.
A few feet away from them Hannah Abbot and Eloise Midgen worked fluttered rapidly around Daphne and Leanne. Hannah kept saying numbers in the twenties or thirties that made zero sense to Harry as a measuring tape floated around the other two girls. Eloise took notes as Hannah measured.
Behind them a group of Slytherin fourth years that Harry didn't know by name were examining the magical river they'd created in the center of the room. They continually cast spells on it, adjusting how high the water was, how it flowed, and everything else they could think of.
"I don't remember being part of that vote," Harry said. One of the vines went for his mouth when it opened. He snapped it shut as Neville again slashed his wand and the particular vine lowered away from him.
"There didn't seem to be much of a point to including you," Daphne said as Hannah finished measuring her. She turned her attention to Romilda Vane and the gaggle of students that would be tavern patrons for the opening scene.
"Why not?" Harry asked.
"What's the difference between three-nil and three-one?" Padma asked.
"One," Harry countered, tensing more as one of the vines started to tug onto his leg.
"I can't stress how much I need you to relax, Harry," Neville said.
"It's a bit hard when Devil's Snare is attacking you," Harry commented.
"It's not Devil's Snare," Neville reiterated. Padma stood up before Harry could comment that he didn't particularly care what the plant was or wasn't. She walked over to him and turned the catalogue to face him.
"What do you think of that?" she asked. Harry looked at the catalogue and saw a dress on the page. It was floor length and sleeveless. A leather top merged into a feathered skirt. There was similar feathering around the shoulders. Harry peered at it for a few moments before shrugging his shoulders, not having much of a clue about dresses.
"I don't know. Looks pretty witchy to me," Harry said. "Not sure it's what I'd want to wear on an adventure. Maybe if the skirt was a few inches shorter. Looks like you'd be stepping on and dragging that."
"You're male. You have that luxury," Padma said, scoffing. "They'd be easy to make in different colors and look olden timey enough for me."
"They look good," Harry said. "But I'm not sure why my opinion matters on what dresses you wear."
"It doesn't," Padma said. "I'm just distracting you from getting choked out by Devil's Snare."
"It's not Devil's Snare," Neville said.
"I like it," Leanne said. She'd moved away from Hannah and Eloise and looked at the pictures in the catalogue. "Can mine be black?"
"Sure," Padma said. "I was thinking a grey for me and a blue for Daphne."
"Can I do more of a V-Neck on mine?" Daphne asked. She gestured to the dress on the next page as Padma held the catalogue open. "Like that."
"I don't see why not," Padma said. "Should we move on to boots?"
"Do boots matter if no one will see our feet?" Leanne asked.
"Of course boots matter! And Harry's right we should make them a smidge shorter to be easier to move in," Padma said, affronted. "Footwear is always of the utmost importance."
"As long as they're comfortable I don't care," Daphne said.
"There's charms for that. We need to find something that matches the era!" Padma said. In Harry's mind she was far too excited for the costumes. Then again, he hadn't been given a chance to explore his yet as he was too busy helping with the props. A vine took that moment to move with an alarming speed and try to pull his leg out from underneath him. Harry swatted at it on instinct but Neville was already shooing it away with his wand.
"Relax Harry! You're making it more difficult for the plant to learn what it's supposed to do," Neville.
"It's a plant, man," Harry countered, not willing to attribute sentience to it, even if he knew that was wrong.
"A magical plant, yes," Neville said. "Now relax so we can get this done and get to work on the girls."
"I can't wait," Harry said.
"After it figures out what to do with you it should only take a few minutes to get the girls squared away," Neville countered.
"That is the worst thing I have ever heard," Harry said.
"You couldn't honestly expect us to put up with that," Daphne said, nodding toward the vines.
"Of course not. How silly of me. Wouldn't want to mess up your hair or something," Harry scoffed as a vine pulled at the back of his left arm. He resisted the urge to tug his arm away and instead let the vine grapple him.
"That's not at all what we're concerned about," Daphne said.
"Then what is?" Harry asked.
"Can you imagine the gossip if half the school saw us like that?" Padma asked. She walked over toward him and examined the vines wrapped around him.
"No," Harry said.
"Really?" Padma asked, she leaned around him, practically whispering into his ear. "You can't imagine how terrible the boys would be if we spent any length of time bound up with vines wrapped all around us, squeezing us, pressing against us, binding us?"
"No," Harry gulped as a vine shot toward his waist.
"Hey Neville?" Padma asked as the Gryffindor slashed his wand at the new vine as another shot toward Harry's midsection.
"What?" Neville asked in annoyance as he grappled with the new vines.
"Isn't Devil's Snare attracted to blood flow?" Padma asked.
"No. Devil's Snare is very passive unless you fall into it. And this isn't Devil's Snare. Devil's Snare would never work for a stage show. It would crumple away from the spotlight. This is Cambodian Creeper, which yes, is attracted to blood flow," Neville explained. He seemed rather surprised when all of the girls there started to giggle.
"Right, that's the one," Padma said. She leaned close to him, pressing her chest to his side and placing a soft, lingering kiss on his cheek near the corner of his mouth. "Let us know when you're done."
"It wouldn't be taking this long if he'd just relax," Neville scoffed as two more vines emerged from the mass of plant behind him. One shot toward his face and the other his waist. Harry glared at Padma as she walked away. He didn't notice that pointed look Daphne gave him before she turned and walked with Padma across the classroom.
"Sorry," Harry said, doing his best to not look too closely at the girls walking from him. They walked over toward the river that split the room in half at the moment. One of the Slytherin boys said something to Daphne as she passed. She spun around and chatted with him for a moment before dipping her hand into the water. She made a thoughtful face as she pulled it out and shook it dry before exchanging a few more words with him.
After that she joined Leanne and Padma on the makeshift stage where it appeared that Dennis Creevy and a seventh year Ravenclaw were arguing about something. Professor Burbage was nearby, her wand out as she helped with the background decorations on the stage. She peered over her shoulder at the argument and looked like she was about to interrupt when Padma stepped between the two students and started questioning them.
Harry tried to read their lips to see what the exact argument was, and to draw his focus away from the vines still encircling him. It worked, to an extent. He didn't quite figure out what they were talking about, but as the spotlight started to shine on various points of the stage he had some idea that lighting and effects were arguing about something.
It was fairly wild to him to see it all going on before him. When he'd read the flyer announcing the performance he never quite thought it would end up being that big. He pictured a few people standing on a small stage reciting lines. But now he was watching an entire set being built around him. In one corner he could see the beginnings of a tavern next to a forest that seemed to grow with each passing moment. The opposite corner held an elaborate fountain that three Ravenclaws were enchanting water to cycle through.
All while a score of people rushed around the room to help wherever they could. A few of them gravitated toward Padma, clearly asking her questions about something and she spent a few minutes with each of them. The enthusiasm on their faces was infectious and instantly made Harry feel like he should be doing more to help. He glared down at the vines but that just made him think about how unhelpful he felt at the moment.
"Can I measure him while he's tied up?" Hannah asked.
"I don't see why not, just try not to disturb the vines," Neville said as he continued to monitor them. "If you can do it magically it would probably help."
"I'll just get close then. I don't think Harper will need exact," Hannah said. She levitated the measuring tape around him, avoiding the vines as she spoke the numbers to Eloise. She paused when she finished before adding that maybe Eloise should take an inch off of each of the measurements.
"I think we have it," Neville said as the vines started to retract from him.
"So I'm free?" Harry asked.
"Not yet, going to actually try it out now," Neville responded.
"Wasn't that what we were doing for the last hour?"
"No. That was just getting them used to you. They didn't draw blood or anything I didn't notice, did they?" Neville didn't sound the least bit concerned if they had as he examined the plant.
"Not that I noticed," Harry tried to joke but it came out flat. Neville wasn't paying enough attention to him to catch it.
"Good," Neville said. "Are you ready for the real deal?"
"We're not on stage so it's not the real deal," Harry said. Neville glared at him and then slashed his wand toward him.
"Vines," he said and the Cambodian Creeper shot out at him. It wrapped tightly around both of his arms, wrists and legs in a way that he suspected would leave marks. Two more tendrils shot out, one wrapping loosely around his neck and the other around his waist.
The vines pulled him about fifteen feet across the room before letting go. He stumbled a bit as they did, nearly falling on his face. But he caught his balance well enough and nodded.
"Interesting," he said to no one in particular.
"How'd it feel?" Neville asked as Harry walked back over to him and the creeper.
"Little tight on the wrists," Harry said, rubbing his wrist. "Not too bad but might not want to be as rough on the girls."
"The girls will be more cosmetic, like the one around your neck," Neville said.
"Of course," Harry said.
"Padma said it made more sense to have them snake around them and then pull you the opposite way. She figured it would look better on the stage and Professor Burbage agreed," Neville said.
"Not surprised. Let's give it another go."
"You sure?"
"May as well get it down as much as we can."
"Alright then. Vines," Neville commanded again. The vines wrapped around him once more and dragged him across the room. This time he understood the force they'd use and had no problem keeping his feet as they threw him. He walked back to Neville after and they practiced a few more times before Harry felt he got the hang of it.
"I think that's good for now," Harry said. "I've got enough of a hang of it. It'll feel different dragging the girls so I don't think I should get too used to it."
"I should work with them. Want to go get them?" Neville asked as he turned his attention back to the plant, examining it and doing a quick diagnostic charm with his wand. Harry wondered what he was looking for but also didn't want a lecture on it.
"Sure," he said. He peered across the room and saw that Daphne and Padma were on the stage, helping with some of the charms on the background and weaving around some of the moving obstacles that would be worked into the performance. He scanned the crowd for Leanne as he marched toward the stage.
As he stepped over the bridge that crossed the makeshift river one of the Slytherins working on it asked him to gauge the temperature. For a moment he wondered why until he remembered he'd have to swim in it. He reached down and let his hand trace in the water. It felt too warm, like a scalding bath. When he stated that he was told that had been Daphne's suggestion, but they could tweak it. Harry didn't see much of a point in doing that, given that she'd spend more time in the water than he would and informed the student as such.
Just as he was continuing to the stage he heard a voice from across the room.
"Potter!" Harry turned to see Harper, the Slytherin who'd filled in for Draco during Quidditch, walking toward him. The Slytherin Seeker apparently had an affinity for suits of armor and thought designing one for the show could be a fun challenge. Harry half expected it would try to drown him during the show.
"Yes?" Gillyweed, he thought. He should stash some Gillyweed on him for the performance.
"Did you have a few minutes to talk about your costume?" he asked. Harry noticed he was staring down at the sheet with Hannah's measurements on it.
"Sure," he said.
"Traditionally he's shown in full plate armor," Harper said.
"I know but I think that might be a bit too heavy of a look for the performance," Harry said.
"We can charm it to weigh virtually nothing," Harper countered.
"I know. That's not what I meant though. I think giving him a full suit of armor makes him feel more competent than he should. I was thinking a breastplate, some leather pants or something, and a half helm. Or at least something where I can open a visor," Harry said.
"Interesting," Harper said. He waved his wand around in the air and Harry found it odd that he didn't find a Slytherin waving a wand at him to be a threatening gesture. A ghostly vision of armor appeared in front of him. "Something like this?"
"Kind of," Harry said, examining the floating image before him. "It's too pristine though."
"What?" Harper asked.
"I pictured his armor looking more hodge-podge," Harry said. "Mismatched pieces, none of it seeming to fit like it should."
"That's what you want to go with?" Harper asked. He waved his wand around some more and some of the connecting pieces grew and some shrank. The polished sheen of the plate seemed to vanish into a more worn look, some of the colors ceasing to match. The helmet adjusted itself, denting on one side and seeming like the visor couldn't close because of the damage.
"Yes," Harry said. "I like the touch on the helmet."
"Alright then, that seems doable. I'll try to get it to work in a way that isn't too cumbersome. Think you could free up some time next week to get it fitted?" Harper asked.
"Just let me know when you're ready and I'll make it work," Harry said.
"Will do. Oh, what about the sword and shield?"
"I think he takes more pride in those. I'd like them to appear well used but of quality," Harry said, then added as his opening line rang through his head. "With a sun motif on the shield."
"Got it," Harper said. "Thanks for clearing all that up."
"No, thank you for all the help," Harry countered. "And if you need anything please feel free to ask. Harper nodded at his and turned to leave. The ghostly armor spun with him and he made adjustments to it as he walked away. Harry was watching him leave as he noticed Leanne standing alone at a table in the corner where the castle elves had laid out some snacks. She was starring off over the room but didn't seem to be focused on anything.
"Hey Leanne," Harry said as he approached. She jumped slightly and her eyes flashed around before settling on him.
"Oh, hey Harry," she responded quietly. She shifted away from him and looked like she wanted to flee.
"Hi," he said and then realized he'd already done that. He could feel his back and shoulders tense as he stood near her. His jaw tightened and it felt difficult to speak for a moment.
"Are you done with Neville?" she asked quietly. Her words were careful and deliberate and gave him the distinct feeling that she was walking on egg shells.
"Yes," he said. It came out terse and he cursed himself in his head. He did not mean to be cold to her. He did not mean to come off as cruel. Yet he couldn't help himself. He tried his best to add something light, something easy, to the conversation. "He wants to work on you and the others now."
"Okay," she said. She looked away from him and made to leave the corner of the room only to realize she was blocked in on one side by the snack table and the other by him. Harry noticed but couldn't bring himself to move. Still, she seemed to be able to make herself tiny and she slipped passed him.
A sinking feeling filled him as she moved away. Like he'd made a mistake and done something stupid. And then it clicked in his head.
"Leanne, wait," he said. She paused, stiffening at his words. He thought she was going to ignore him and flee toward the sanctuary that was Neville Longbottom. But instead, after a few heartbeats of what felt like utter silence she turned and faced him.
"Yes?" she asked. She looked like she was bracing herself for some great pain. Her eyes were wet and a tear had started to fall from the corner of one of them.
"What happened to Katie," he started, his voice caught in her throat as she flinched away from him at the mention of her friend. He paused as the words didn't come. Until he knew he was being a coward. Then he spoke. "What happened to Katie wasn't your fault. If you hadn't been there, she would have likely died. You're more responsible for saving her life than anyone else. I know you know that. But I thought you should hear it."
The tension rushed out of his shoulders as he said it aloud. Leanne stood, unmoving and staring at him, the occasional blink the only indication that she was alive. At least until more tears welled into her eyes and she rushed to him, hugging him.
His arms wrapped around her on reflex as her face pressed into his chest.
"Thank you," she whispered through sobs. "Thank you. Thank you."
"It's nothing but the truth, Leanne," he said with as much reassurance as he could put into his words. He patted her back as she cried. He looked around the room, hoping no one had noticed their conversation or the scene they were undoubtedly making.
Daphne's eyes met his and narrowed. Her expression stayed blank as she stepped away from Padma and started to approach the two of them. Leanne clung to him for about a minute before backing away. Tears stained her makeup as she turned her gaze away from his.
"Sorry," she said.
"Nothing to apologize for," Harry said. Leanne sniffled but nodded. She went to wipe her eyes with her sleeves. Harry looked away from her, letting his eyes gaze toward the table with the snacks. Dobby, he thought, peppermint Cocoa. And to his moderate surprise one appeared on the table, topped with whipped cream with chunks of candy cane worked into it.
"Did you need something?" Leanne asked quietly. Harry could tell she was trying to redirect the conversation away from the fact she'd just broken down in front of him. He picked up the mug of cocoa from the table.
"Neville wanted to work with the three of you," Harry said. "Cocoa?"
"No that's alright," Leanne said but her eyes shifted and she looked at the mug of it Harry was holding to her. "Actually, that looks delicious."
"Go for it," he said, handing it to her. "But don't keep Neville waiting."
"Thanks," she said as she took it from him. She gave him one last look before turning to move toward Neville and the Cambodian Creeper.
"So Padma is kissing you and Leanne is giving you puppy dog eyes now," Daphne said from his side. "And you're not worried about a love triangle?"
"I only did what you said," Harry responded.
"Flirted with everyone? I know Gryffindor's are thick but I remember saying to not do that," Daphne said.
"I didn't flirt with her," Harry said. "I told her it wasn't her fault."
"So you flirted with her," Daphne said.
"Not at all," Harry sighed. "I just told her what I thought about Katie and how it wasn't her fault and, well, that happened."
"I see," Daphne said. Her eyes were still narrow as she looked at him. For some reason Harry figured it was a bad idea to ask her what got her panties in a bunch.
"Neville wants to work on you," Harry said.
"What did you give her?" Daphne asked.
"Peppermint hot chocolate," Harry said.
"And how did you get that?" Daphne asked.
"Magic," Harry said.
"Well, could you magic me up a peppermint latte?" she asked.
"I don't know," he said. "I think I just got lucky the first time."
"Maybe the second time, too," Daphne said as another mug appeared on the table. She slipped around him and grabbed it before making her way over toward Neville and Leanne. Harry watched her go, wondering why it looked like she was swaying her hips more than normal.
He walked over to the stage to inform Padma that Neville was looking for them. She hopped after Daphne and Harry found himself standing with Professor Burbage. They chatted for a moment or two about the play and how the rehearsals were going. She reiterated that Padma had told her everything was proceeding excellently and Harry saw no reason to argue.
After a few minutes the group of Slytherin fourth years that were working on the river approached. One held a charmed ball in his hands and asked if the stage was ready. Harry watched as they attempted to charm the ball to turn into the river as the stage spread around it. He helped them with the magic and after about a half hour they'd managed to make it so that the stage would split in half on command and the river would flow into the new gap.
Harry felt a modicum of satisfaction when one of the Slytherins admitted that they'd gotten the idea of how to create the river from the swamp Fred and George had deployed against Umbridge the previous year. It was a shame, he thought, that the twins weren't still in school. Although he wasn't sure if their idea of special effects would be what most people considered safe.
After a few minutes Ernie Macmillan approached him. The Hufflepuff had become a bit more personable after Professor Burbage had given him the narrator role in the performance. It wasn't much of one as it involved walking across the stage at a few various points with some basic descriptors, but he seemed thrilled about it.
"Neville wants you back," he said. Harry nodded and walked back over toward where the Cambodian Creeper was weaving its way around the girls.
"I think I see your point, Padma," Harry said as one of the vines wrapped around her chest.
"Oh shut up. It's barely even touching me," Padma said.
"Can you go stand by Daphne and we'll get it to grab all four of you?" Neville asked. Harry nodded at him and moved into a line with them and they rehearsed the scene.
The vines started out toward Leanne. They snaked around her slowly and as they did she reached out and grabbed Padma's wrist. The vines followed her hand and started on Padma who reached and grabbed Daphne's robes in both of her hands. Once vines snaked around Daphne she reached out and threw her arms around Harry's waist. The vines followed, wrapping tightly around him as they'd practiced and then pulled. Harry stepped with them and a moment later all three girls fell into him, toppling him over. Daphne's elbow managed to bash directly into his nose as she fell.
There was much giggling as they rose to their feet. Harry fixed his nose just before the Vines flashed toward it and then summoned a cloth to wipe the blood from his face as Daphne apologized profusely. The flush that rose on her cheeks intrigued the vines enough to lash toward her face but Neville pulled them back before anything happened.
"Well, that was an interesting first attempt," Harry said, pinching his nose to make sure everything felt like it was in place.
"I'm so sorry," Daphne continued to apologize, her hands covering her mouth as she spoke.
"It's fine. I've had worse from a Bludger."
"Can only improve," Padma responded.
"I know how hard they pull. Let's do a few without the vines to make sure we can keep our feet than go from there."
"You don't like being pulled to the ground with three girls?" Padma teased.
"I enjoyed it right up until my nose was broken," Harry shot back.
"Sorry."
"It's fine. Maybe try to land with a less pointy part of you first next time," Harry said. Daphne rolled her eyes at him as she lowered her hands from her face while Leanne and Padma giggled.
It took them about five more attempts to get it down. They did two without the vines and then three more with. On the fifth attempt they all kept their feet and continued on as Neville summoned the vines away from him.
"Very good," Professor Burbage said. Harry hadn't even noticed her approaching to watch. "I think we've done enough for tonight. How are the lines coming?"
"Good," Padma responded as Neville made sure the Creeper was put away. He muttered something about getting it back to the greenhouse as Padma continued. "We've done our last few runs from memory. Occasional stumble but nothing much."
"Very good. I'd like to do a full run with the cast on Friday after classes if that will work out," Professor Burbage said.
"Of course," Leanne said. Padma and Harry nodded but Daphne pressed her lips together and otherwise didn't move.
"Good. After I think it would be a good idea if the four of you helped with the decorating for the festival in general. I believe Professor Hagrid said he could use a hand with the trees for the Great Hall."
"We'd be happy to," Padma said. The fact that the decorations were going up meant it was nearing December and their time to prepare was winding down rather quickly.
"Great," Professor Burbage smiled at them before gathering the attention of the rest of the room and telling them it was time to pack up for the evening. Padma and Leanne wandered over toward where Romilda was pestering Hannah Abbot. Harry made to leave but noticed Daphne was frowning.
"Something wrong?" Harry asked.
"No," she said.
"Then why are you chewing on your lip like something is bothering you?" Harry asked.
"I don't chew on my lips," Daphne retorted.
"Well, if you don't count every time you're annoyed I guess you're right," Harry countered. She walked toward the door of the classroom. Harry walked with her, resisting the urge to follow behind.
"I was supposed to meet up with Marcus after class on Friday. I'll have to cancel," Daphne said.
"Doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me," Harry said.
"I've had to cancel a lot lately," she said. "And I need his help with Charms."
"You're busy," Harry shrugged. "It happens."
"I guess," she said.
"Speak of the devil," Harry said as he looked to see Marcus Belby walking toward the two of them. He was about the same height as Harry but a bit rounder. Hermione had mentioned he seemed very fond of Slughorn's ice cream. She hadn't appreciated the joke he'd made about that statement.
"Where were you?" Belby asked, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Harry.
"I told you that Professor Burbage wanted us to start building the stage and working with the effects tonight," Daphne said. "I invited you to come along and help with the charms."
"I thought we were going to do transfiguration. It took me four hours to get through the assignment without your help," Belby said. Harry figured it was best to avoid a domestic dispute and slipped away from Daphne and around Belby. When he was past Belby he decided that he was very interested in a display case showing the history of Ravenclaw Quidditch so he looked at that.
"I'm sorry. I thought we agreed to do that Friday. I could really use your help on Charms. I didn't understand Flitwick's lesson at all," Daphne said.
"I can't Friday," Belby said.
"I'm sure we could squeeze it in over lunch or even before we help with the decorations. We have a run through after dinner but I should be able to work out some time," Daphne said.
"I made plans with Justin," Marcus said. "It's going to be all night Friday."
"You promised you'd help us with the decorations," Daphne frowned.
"Like half the school has signed up, you hardly need me," Belby said.
"Are you mad at me for missing a study session?" Daphne asked.
"What? Of course not. I have to get back to the common room," Belby responded. He walked away from her and out of the hallway. Harry watched Daphne out of the corner of his eye. She stood in the middle of the hallway and watched him go, looking rather confused by the entire situation. She continued walking and Harry fell into step beside her.
"Not a word, Potter," she said immediately.
"About what?" Harry asked, feigning as much innocence as he could.
"I know what you're going to say and I don't want to hear it," Daphne said.
"I don't think you know what I'm going to say," Harry said.
"I think I do," Daphne said.
"Then what am I going to say?"
"I already told you that I don't want to hear it. It doesn't matter if I hear it from my mouth or yours."
"Humor me."
"Fine. You're going to say that Marcus is being an idiot. His plans were obviously a way to get back at me, and that I can do better," Daphne said, irritation evident in her tone.
"Huh," Harry said, raising his hand to stroke his chin in a way he hoped looked contemplative.
"I'm right, I take it?"
"Nope."
"Then what brilliant wisdom were you going to bless me with?"
"I was actually hoping you'd bless me with your brilliance," Harry said.
"And how, pray tell, will I do that?" she asked. Harry noticed that while she still seemed annoyed, a hint of playfulness was there too.
"Well, I didn't follow most of Flitwick's lesson either. And we have an hour or so before light's out. So how about we head to the library and get the Charms homework done?" Harry asked.
"Hmm," Daphne intoned. She tilted her head to look at him.
"What?" Harry asked.
"I'm trying to figure out how you're going to spin that into a comment about my figure," Daphne said.
"I hadn't planned on it but if you'd like me to I'm sure I can come up with something," Harry countered.
"Are you being serious?" Daphne asked.
"About Charms or about your figure?" Harry asked.
"Charms."
"Yes. Although I did understand the lesson, I think. And I'm pretty good at Charms. But I also have Quidditch tomorrow, lessons with Nearly Headless Nick on Thursday and now I have to help with the decorations on Friday or I'll look like a prick. So it would be nice to have some help with Charms at least and go from there," Harry explained.
"Why are you taking lessons with a ghost?" Daphne asked.
"He's going to teach me how a knight would use a sword."
"Why?" Daphne blinked in confusion.
"Figured it would look better on stage if I had half a clue rather than flailing around like a moron. He agreed to three lessons, we're starting this week. I only wanted to learn the most basic stuff but I think he's going to get carried away."
"What gives you that idea?"
"He said it was the first time a student had asked for his help in three centuries. And that he'd make sure I became an expert," Harry said.
"And he can do that in three lessons?"
"He thought so. I'm actually fairly nervous about it."
"I don't blame you. Is he selling tickets? It might be fun to watch a ghost stab you over and over. I'm sure Leanne and Padma would come for moral support too."
"I'll ask him," Harry said, rolling his eyes. "So, want to head to the library and do Charms?"
"You know what, why not?" Daphne said.
"Lead on then," Harry said. Daphne shook her head.
"Nope, my turn," Daphne said.
"What?"
"You lead on. I've seen how you run around the lake every morning and all the flying has to do something for the core, so I'm going to objectify you now," Daphne said.
"Well, let me know if I'm better than Belby," Harry said as he sped his step until he was a few paces in front of her.
"No comment," Daphne said as they walked toward the library. They arrived not too long after. Harry led her to an empty table in the back corner, far away from where he knew Hermione would usually sit. While he hadn't seen his friend when they entered the library, she was quite adept at disappearing into the stacks and popping up later. And, if he was honest, he didn't want her to come and lecture the both of them on Charms.
He took out his textbook and flipped it open to the correct page before finding some parchment and a quill and taking a seat at the table. Daphne pulled a chair around and sat next to him, peering down at the pages Flitwick had assigned.
To Harry's surprise it only took them about a half hour to work their way through the Charms assignment. They worked well together, which, he guessed, shouldn't have surprised him. They'd been working together for nearly a month and assignments weren't so much different than running lines.
After they finished, Harry suggested Transfiguration. Daphne proved to be a whiz at it and they cruised through McGonagall's assignment in about fifteen minutes. They were giggling about how easy it was as Madame Pince was wandering over to tell them the library would be closing soon.
Harry noticed before she arrived and started to put his books away and roll up the parchment. Madame Pince only nodded at them as they rose form the table and made their way out of the library.
"Thanks for the help," Harry said as they moved toward their common rooms.
"You too," Daphne said. "We should do it again."
"I'm game," Harry said.
"Great. Well, uhm, I guess I'll see you Friday," Daphne said as she turned toward the corridor leading toward the dungeons.
"See you then," Harry called after her as he started on the stairs up to Gryffindor tower. He felt an odd spring in his step as he climbed them, but figured the lightness he felt must have just been because he had two fewer assignments to worry about for that week.
Friday came quickly for Harry. It seemed that each day closer to the performance was a few hours shorter than the previous and he found himself legitimately too busy for much of anything. He ended up canceling a few Quidditch practices, although no one on the team seemed bothered by that given that their next match wasn't until March.
He found himself spending every waking free minute he had trying to make sure he was all caught up on his needed assignments. To the point that he was scribbling away on his Defense homework while half-heartedly stirring his potion in Slughorn's classroom on Friday afternoon.
Daphne was whispering questions to him about the same homework from her seat across the aisle while also asking about how he was suddenly so good at potions. Harry felt very little need to hide the notations in the text book but she seemed to think her own question was rhetorical as she continued questioning him without bothering to let him answer. He was fairly amused that she seemed to have changed her seating arrangement to be able to ask said questions.
Professor Slughorn noticed. But he didn't say much of anything about it. Harry did note, though, that he decided, while looking at Harry rather pointedly, that he didn't think the class needed to bog down their weekend with excess homework and that they could all use a bit of a break.
After potions he, Daphne, and Hermione walked together toward the Muggle Studies class room. It drew strange glances from Ron, who didn't seem to know if he should walk with Lavender, or ask what was going on.
He and Daphne ducked into the classroom while Hermione moved toward the staircase that led to Gryffindor tower. Harry was immediately approached by Harper when he entered the room and asked if he wanted to try on his costume. It seemed rude to disagree so he found himself stripping out of his school robes, drawing a few stares from some of the girls, as well as a wolf-whistle from the general direction of Padma Patil.
Harry rolled his eyes and did his best not to blush, reminding himself that he'd had his shirt off in the Quidditch changing rooms hundreds of times. He stepped into the pants first and then pulled the cotton undershirt over his head. The pants felt fine but the shirt felt a little big. Harper assured him that was intentional and started helping him with the breastplate. He talked of how he stayed up all night getting the dents and other assorted markings perfect. It fell into place nicely, Harry thought. He'd done an orange and red sun motif that appeared almost hammered into the metal and Harry had to admit it was almost exactly how he'd pictured it in his head.
He put the boots on next, finding that he still had most of his normal range of motion despite the clunky nature of his chest armor. They were a little snug. He mentioned that to Harper and the Slytherin took out his wand and started waving it around. They adjusted themselves and Harry told him to stop when they felt right.
Finally, the put on the pointed knight's helmet with the stuck open visor. It fell a little too far over his eyes and Harper grabbed it off his head and adjusted it. It took three attempts before it seemed right. He found it slightly restrictive with his head movements but figured he'd get used to it.
"Not bad," Padma said as she approached him.
"Thanks, can I watch you change next time?" Harry retorted.
"If you like I'm sure we could arrange something. But am I really the one you want to watch change?"
"You're an attractive young lady."
"And I should expect as much from a male," Padma said.
"Very nice Dylan!" Professor Burbage said as she rushed up to the group of them.
"Thank you, Professor," Harper responded.
"Are you going to wear it for the entire read?" she asked.
"Uhm."
"I think you should," she insisted.
And so Harry found himself seated next to Padma and Daphne, in full Sir Luckless garb, as they started through on their lines. There was some stumbling in the earlier scenes. Professor Burbage interrupted a few times to discuss the tone or a pronunciation or some other minor detail.
But once it was just the four of them, acting out the play from their seats, she seemed to have much less to offer in terms of criticism of their overall performance. They paused occasionally to discuss the effects that would accompany various scenes. When they finished, with Ernie Macmillan closing out the final lines, Professor Burbage beamed at them.
"Wonderful," she said. "I think we should try for a full stage run through on Monday. I know some of the effects will not be ready, but it will be good to move around and start to stage the show completely."
"Okay," Padma agreed. Their Mondays were already devoted to the performance anyway so it wasn't an additional day. Harry nodded and took off the helmet for the costume as Hannah Abbot muttered something about not being sure if she'd have the costumes done by Monday. Professor Burbage assured her that wouldn't matter yet as Harry got himself out of his own costume and back into his school robes.
Professor Burbage helped him find a spot to store it all in the classroom as the rest of the students left. She made sure to reiterate that the decorating was starting that night and she'd love it if any of them could come and help.
Leanne and Padma waited for him to store the costume before they left together. Harry resisted the urge to ask where Daphne was but didn't. Padma seemed to sense something and commented that she'd gone to do something with Belby.
Sure enough, when he entered the Great Hall, he saw her sitting at the Ravenclaw table. She seemed to be talking rather animatedly with Belby who didn't appear to be paying that close of attention to her as he cut up a chicken breast.
Harry sat next to Hermione at the Gryffindor table and answered her questions about how the performance went. He asked if she was going to help out with the decorating festivities. She shook her head and told him that she had too much Arithmancy to finish.
Harry ate slowly, not quite sure what to expect from the decorating festivities. In a normal year, Hagrid would spend a weekend bringing in the trees and then the professors would get them decorated in the meantime.
"Are you staying to help, Harry?" Hagrid said from behind him. Harry turned on the bench and looked toward the professor.
"I'd planned on it," Harry said.
"You mind helping me get the trees inside?" Hagrid asked.
"Not at all," Harry said. He rose to his feet and followed Hagrid out. "I actually had a question for you."
"What's that?"
"Nearly Headless Nick said you used to be into blacksmithing and forging," Harry said.
"Aye," Hagrid said.
"Do you think we could make a sword for my costume for the play?" Harry asked.
"Do you need a sword for that?" Hagrid asked.
"It's part of the costume. I was going to conjure one but I didn't feel like doing it every time we rehearse so I thought it might be kind of cool to make one," Harry said.
"It will take a few hours. Could you devote an entire Sunday to it?"
"I could make this Sunday work," Harry said.
"I'm going to have to give you homework," Hagrid said as they stepped outside. Harry saw Hagrid had lined up quite a few pine trees near the entrance. He attached four of them together and started pulling them back into the school. Harry took out his wand and levitated a few of them and followed after the giant.
"What's that?" he asked.
"Draw what you want," Hagrid said. "In detail. Nothing like the sketches you and Ron handed in for homework."
"I will," Harry said. They arrived back at the Great Hall and Hagrid positioned the trees in a perfect line. Professors Flitwick and Burbage were demonstrating spells that could be used to decorate trees and surfaces respectively. Harry watched for a moment before Hagrid led him back outside. It took them about ten trips to get all of the trees into the Great Hall and by the time they finished Harry rather regretted that he hadn't bothered with a warming charm.
He shivered as he aligned the last tree in the corner of the Great Hall. He hadn't looked that closely to the festivities and didn't notice that fake snowballs were flying around, interrupting everyone as they decorated.
And then a warm ball of snowy powder hit him square in the back of the head.
"Got you!" a girl squealed. Harry spun around in confusion to see a cute girl he didn't fully recognize although there was something familiar about her features. She looked to be about a fourth year and wore Slytherin robes. Once Harry was sure the fake snow wasn't charmed to melt off his hair or anything silly decided the best counter was to attack. He raised his wand to conjure his own.
"Astoria!" Daphne yelled from his side. Harry added a second snowball to his arsenal, just in case.
"What! He was wide open!" Astoria Greengrass squealed. She turned to face her sister and made a face at her.
"You're supposed to be decorating, not making a mess with fake snow," Daphne scolded. Astoria rolled her eyes in an expression Harry found rather familiar.
"It vanishes in five minutes. It's just a bit of fun. Even Professor Flitwick is getting into it with some of the Ravenclaws," Astoria argued.
"If you want Professor Burbage to notice you it's best to behave," Daphne countered.
"You're not going to talk to her any-Hey!" Astoria shrieked as Harry dumbed both fake snowballs onto her.
"Potter," Daphne groaned.
"I wasn't paying attention!" Astoria whined.
"Either was I," Harry countered. "Now shall we decorate the last two trees or am I going to have to summon more snow?"
"Fine. But only if Daphne promises to talk to Professor Burbage," Astoria said.
"I'll make her," Harry promised.
"I'd like to see that," Daphne muttered. But Astoria giggled and moved toward the tree further from them and started waving her wand around it, transfiguring random needles into ornaments as she did.
"What does she even want?" Harry asked.
"She thinks she should be the understudy for the three witches in the show," Daphne said.
"I wasn't aware there were understudies," Harry said.
"There aren't," Daphne said. "But she learned all the lines anyway."
"Not all of them," Astoria giggled as she danced around the tree. Daphne glared in her direction. She'd obviously thought her sister hadn't been listening to the conversation.
"That's a lot of lines at any rate," Harry said.
"I could use some help with Amata's lines at the end," Astoria said, swinging around the tree and batting her eyelashes at Harry. "If you want to start right around Sir Luckless's confession and we can go through to the end I would appreciate it."
"Astoria!" Daphne exclaimed, causing her sister to giggle and spin around the tree once more. This time she started making a star for the top.
"What I could use the practice!" she giggled.
"It looks like those Ravenclaws found some hot chocolate," Daphne said pointedly. "Why don't you go fetch us a few cups."
"Why would I do that?" Astoria glared, but she spared a glance over toward the rest of the Great Hall and saw that, while some refreshments were lining the Ravenclaw table, the snowball fight was operating in earnest. She scampered off toward it without another thought.
"I'm sorry about her," Daphne said as they both watched her go.
"Oh, it's fine, she's cute," Harry said. This time he had to blush and turn his gaze from her glare. For a moment he thought it actually hurt him physically to face it.
"She's fourteen, Potter," Daphne spat.
"I didn't mean like that," Harry frowned, stumbling over his own words. "I just always thought having a sibling would be entertaining."
"More frustrating than anything," Daphne said, but her tone softened and she moved to his side. They paused for a moment before they resumed decorating the tree that Astoria had started.
"Does it matter if she acts as an understudy?" Harry asked as he added some tinsel to the tree.
"No," Daphne sighed. She waved her wand around the tree and lights shaped like little fairies formed in the branches. The twinkled brightly amidst the pine needles. "Astoria doesn't always have the best judgement. It wouldn't shock me if she slipped me something the night of the performance to take my spot."
"I'm sure she wouldn't do that," Harry said.
"You didn't grow up with her," Daphne scowled.
"Well, if it makes you feel better, I'd much rather perform with you," Harry said. Daphne rolled her eyes.
"Thanks," she said. "I suppose it's nice to know at the very least. How were the lessons with Nick?"
"You know the feeling when a ghost floats through you and you're not paying attention and your entire body turns to ice and tingles?"
"Mmmhmm."
"Well being stabbed by a ghostly blade is like that but concentrated wherever he hits you. It's…unpleasant. As is catching your reflection with a blade thrust through you."
"You're making me sad I missed it," Daphne smiled at him. Her eyes were bright and mischievous for a moment before she turned her attention back to her work on the tree.
"Those lights are pretty amazing," Harry said. He eyeed the tiny fairies as he finished with the tinsel. "Can you show me how to do it?"
"Sure," Daphne said. She spent the next few minutes demonstrating the wand movements and the differing effects they could have on the outcome.
"That's a nifty little trick," Harry said as the second tree twinkled at them. "It doesn't seem like it would be hard to alter the creature at the end either."
"It's not," Daphne agreed. "I usually do a strand of bats in our dormitory for Halloween. Changing colors is harder but not by a whole lot."
"I can see that," Harry said as he adjusted the ones on the tree to turn from a white glow to a red, then a green, then a mix of both.
"You seem to have the hang of it," she said. Harry thought she sounded impressed and he couldn't help but smirk slightly. He resisted the urge to try to do something further with the spell, figuring it was likely to blow up in his face if he did.
"Thanks for showing me," Harry said. He turned to face her and gave her his best smile but as he did another warm batch of fake snow dunked onto his, and Daphne's heads.
"Got you both!" Astoria shrieked.
"Astoria!" Daphne yelled. She turned and ran after her sister with the white powder still dusting her hair. Harry couldn't help but laugh as he watched. He left them to their own devices and moved toward the refreshments.
Professor Flitwick thanked him for coming and helping out, while eyeing a few Hufflepuffs who were doing their best to not be noticed while they snuck up on him with a ball of snow about the same size as he was. Harry maneuvered his way away from that and spent a few minutes chatting with Padme, Leanne, and Ernie.
After some conversation Hagrid approached him and also thanked him for his help. By that point Harry gazed around the Great Hall and couldn't help but notice that the people who'd decided to help decorate for what was ostensibly the first night of the Christmas Festival had ended having more of a party than anything else.
He weaved through the trees, spending time admiring what others had decided to do for decorations until he turned one corner and saw Neville Longbottom and Hannah Abbott with their foreheads together giggling about something. He smiled at his friend and backed away slowly, hoping to go unnoticed.
He found himself back at the refreshments and he snagged up a couple of mugs of hot chocolate and weaved through the students out and about. After a few moments he crossed paths with Astoria, and then four steps behind, Daphne.
The younger girl managed to evade around him quite easily while her older sister slid to a halt near him. She frowned in the direction of her sister, and then helped herself to one of the mugs Harry was holding.
"Shouldn't Belby be fetching you drinks?" Harry teased. He saw her jawline tighten as she looked around and he remembered that Belby had stood her up a few days earlier out of spite.
"I don't see him here," she said. "So you'll have to do." Harry frowned, feeling like he crossed a line of sorts.
"I am glad I could be of service," he said. "This ended up being a fun time. It wasn't at all what I expected."
"I thought it would be. Professor Burbage tends to let get togethers of this nature turn into more of a party than anything else. I'm glad Flitwick and Hagrid seemed in on it as well. She knows that making it fun makes it more enjoyable and memorable," Daphne explained.
"She might have wanted to mention that when trying to find volunteers," Harry said. "More people would have showed up then."
"I think she feels that's too much of a bribe," Daphne said. "And sees it as a way of rewarding those that come."
"Sort of the opposite of Slughorn," Harry commented. Daphne raised her brows at him before responding.
"I never thought of it that way but I guess that's true," Daphne said.
"For what it's worth, I think you picked the right parties," Harry said. Daphne shook her head. He got the distinct impression she didn't think he'd understand if she voiced any opposite opinion and he resisted the urge to make a comment about the grass being greener, figuring she'd roll her eyes at the bad pun. And, frankly, that she'd heard it a million times before.
"I guess," she shrugged. Harry watched her for a moment but soon realized he had nothing to say. He was saved, however, by a yawn. He stifled it with a hand and figured it was as easy of an exit as any.
"I think I'm about ready to turn in," he said.
"I'll join you," Daphne said. And then she blushed a rather deep crimson. She opened her mouth, annoyance on her face. She looked ready to retort to whatever inappropriate comment he would make at her slip of the tongue before she realized he hadn't said anything. She shut her mouth and glared at him.
"That would be nice," Harry said as formally as he could. He started walking out of the Great Hall. Daphne walked at his side, not saying anything else. He yawned again as he approached the staircase. He stared up it, finding the thought of ascending the steps to seem too exhausting to be worth it.
"Well, thanks for helping out, and putting up with my sister," Daphne said as they paused at the split that led to the separate common rooms.
"Thanks for showing me that spell," Harry said.
"No problem," she said. And then she surprised him by hugging him. It wasn't much of one, the briefest of wrapping her arms around him. He almost didn't have time to return it before she slipped from him and turned to walk to the Slytherin common room.
He stared after her for a moment, taking in the cinnamon hints of her perfume as she moved away. After she was out of sight he sighed and commenced the climb toward the Gryffindor common room and his own bed.
Author's Note: Thanks again for reading and reviewing, I do appreciate it. I am available to support now on Pat RE On at TE7writes. I appreciate any support you can give me. Subscribers do receive new works a few days before they get posted here. Thanks again for reading!