Author's Note: I do not own Harry Potter
Harry woke with vast excitement reverberating within him, as his bleary eyes transcended into the world of the wakeful and he took notice of the darkened, rain-filled skies dully shining into the windows beside his four-poster bed. Today was the day that he would be able to make his way into the fabled village of Hogsmeade, and it had been a long three-year wait he had to endure before this moment could arise.
'Once again I wonder at the magical world,' Harry thought to himself as he dressed himself, performing subtle freshening charms on himself in replacement for his morning rituals - though no spell was going to be placed upon him to replace the act of relieving his bladder.
The permission slip had haunted his thoughts since his arrival at Hogwarts the month previous. There were promises of 'good behaviour' and such to his Aunt and Uncle, but after the fiasco underwent at Privet Drive this summer, there was no way he could have had it signed by a 'responsible guardian'. Then it had hit him like a falling brick as he recalled the seeming ineptitude of Witches and Wizards alike at what seemed like commons sensibilities.
He just wrote 'Vernon Dursley' on the slip in almost illegible writing to mimic his signature. It was a daring act (to him) that had him awake breathless for a single night. Professor McGonagall took one look at the forged signature, gave a tense half-smile, and added his name to the approved list. With that, this weekend was to be one he would highly enjoy.
His plan was already set in motion: he began by simply enjoying his morning with the yawning Neville and Fay, and a smiling, very much awake, Katie. He happily munched on some toast, idle chatter filling their little world at the Gryffindor table, the familiar warmth of Katie leaning comfortably into his side.
"Harry, you need to stop bouncing. I can't keep my spoon straight," Katie's bell-like laughter arose a blush in Harry, while a hesitant smile crept upon his face.
"I can't help it," his body, shaking without his knowledge, became reduced to just his left leg bouncing. "I just can't wait!"
He remained quiet, while his friends visibly showed their joy at his innocent enjoyment at the coming day.
When the group amassed as one and finished their breakfasts, it was George who spoke up. "So then, shall we go guys? It's about that time now."
No sooner had the words been uttered, Harry shot up to his feet, deftly moving around the coming and going students filling the hall, ignoring the snickers behind him all the way.
"Harry!" Katie giggled from his side, "You need to slow down. I'm not sure my feet can take it!"
Harry only then noticed that as he had stood, Katie had clamped her hand in his own, and in his rush to leave, he had not noticed his stowaway passenger. He bashfully ruffled his unruly hair, absently rubbing on the rim of his glasses as his thoughts were collected. "Erm, oops?"
"Oops indeed," Katie responded with a barely restrained grin. Something that as he looked at, stirred an uncomfortable feeling deep in his belly.
"Shall... shall we get going?"
Katie hummed, her red (red?) lips curving into a smile as her eyes crinkled. 'Have her eyes always seemed that dark? Her face, was it always like that?' There was something different about his friend that Harry could not place his finger on. She pulled him quickly on towards Argus Filch, who stood by the moving pendulum of the clock tower, clipboard in hand. He waved them on through with a grim sneer and sinister eyes, and Harry's eyes trained themselves on the beautiful picture beside him. 'Why can't I get it? There's something different about her today... even her clothes seem changed. New?' He focused on her hair; the long locks loose and swaying slightly in the breeze. The colour, so much like his own, was a beacon in the surrounding green as the wildness near reflected the Potter hair that he himself suffered with. 'Doesn't she usually keep it tame?'
They separated as a group when the carriages had taken them to the entrance of the village. The cold bit at his fingertips with some vengeance, whilst a small sense of warmth enveloped him, and the others, if the content sighs coming from them, indicated anything.
Angelina put her wand back into her pocket, the leather jacket seemed more her than Harry had actually thought before.
"Couldn't have you lot suffer with the cold just because you forgot that you were magic."
Two arms came around either shoulder, as the redheaded twins launched their spiel of comedic verbosity.
"Such grace!"
"Such skill!"
"Truly, Gred, her power over the minor elements dwarfs our own."
"Of course! Why, Forge, I do believe that Angie here could very well be the one to be asked to light the candles from now on."
"Hmm, hmm, hmm! Yes! Of course, a thousand times I agree with you dear brother. Yet it must be us that- "
Two elbows met two guts, followed by a duo of wheezing. This, however, did not silence the prankster twins.
Katie shook her head in mirror with Alicia, who waved her farewell at the now quartet as they walked away to follow their own plan. "Now, Harry, Neville... Fay," Harry frowned imperceptibly at the pause and inflection at Katie's way of speaking to Fay. "I'm off with Leanne and Keira for the day, but I'll meet you in the Three Broomsticks later. Now, enjoy! See the sights for yourselves."
"Where to first?" Fay asked as Harry waved at Katie as she jogged away through the throng of people who now had begun to fill the streets. "I kinda want the joke shop first. Apparently, they're a lot more 'School friendly'. What about you guys?"
"Honeydukes," Neville piped up, his cheeks rosy and eyes widened with wonder. "Meant to be the best Sweet Shop we'll ever see. Shelves filled to the brim with anything you could think of. According to Cedric Diggory, there's even bags that you can use to mix and match different sweets with."
"Like a muggle pick'n'mix," Harry said quietly, finger scratching his face as he thought about what he was being told.
"Err, yeah, I guess." Neville and Fay shared a look, which had Harry let out an uncharacteristic snort as he was reminded that neither of them had any sort of familiarity with the muggle world.
Fay rolled her eyes, which was responded in turn by Harry mirroring her movements. "What about you, Harry? Anywhere specific you want to go? We'll get the places we aren't more excited to go to out of the way first, but anything you want to look for?"
"Cedric told me about a card game that's creeping over from the East. Apparently, it's a huge hit in Germany and at the Welsh Magic School, Dyffryn y Breuddwydion."
"You mean Gwent?" Neville asked. "Gran started playing it over the summer with some of her friends. She says it's a brilliant game. But we'd need our own decks... I'm with you on that one, Harry."
The day proceeded without a hitch. They enjoyed the different coloured inks at Scrivenshaft's, stocked up their ingredients at Dogweed's, perused the different books at Tomes and Scrolls, and enjoyed the quiet atmosphere at the Shrieking Shack.
"Harry," Fay asked through chattering teeth, "How is this not creeping you out?"
He shrugged is light boredom, his answer enough to calm the other two down. "How can I be scared of the 'most haunted building in Britain' if I live in a castle full of ghosts?"
Neville got his wish and enjoyed the local sweet shop, filling his bags as he went and paying slightly extra for a container to keep them permanently fresh for as long as they remained in there. Harry and Fay enjoyed the local sports shop – it was Neville that tugged them along, laughing all the while as Harry was bombarded with requests for autographs and Fay was staring red-faced at the selection of posters portraying the famous players of the here and now (Harry couldn't be sure, but he thought he saw her stare at his for a long while). Though Fay didn't get into the joke shop first, as she originally wished to, she still found the time to peruse the store, a chilling laugh escaping her lips every couple of minutes as she imagined the havoc she could wreak with the items she was intending to purchase. When the time came for Harry to acquire his cards, Neville and Fay joined him in getting their own in consolidatory unison with their best friend.
"You guys enjoy today?" Alicia asked them when the trio sat down at a large, wooden, circular table inside the Three Broomsticks. "Get everything you wanted? Saw the sights?"
"It was magical," gushed Fay, receiving some light laughter at the unintentional pun. "You know what I mean!"
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Katie twirled a strand of her raven locks idly through her fingers. The silky-smooth feel of her hair moving absently was always enough to calm her down no matter the circumstance. By her feet lay a stereotypical looking picnic basket, laden with snacks and portions of dinner-food that the rest of the castle were sure to be enjoying soon afterwards.
The weather had begun to turn cold outside, and though she could have performed a minor heating charm upon her and Harry, she much preferred to don the typical autumn/winter garb and enjoy it for what it was.
Her face lit up, a wide smile adorning her face, followed by slightly sparking eyes shining in happiness as his sombre features began to reverse into one of joy.
'Oh, Harry, what is it that you do to me?'
"Harry, I didn't want to think you would stand a lady up, and I'm glad I was wrong." 'Daring, Katie.'
"No, I wouldn't ever do that to you!"
'He really is too adorable. Hero of the Wizarding World, Saviour of the School, and Seeker Extraordinaire. But to me, he's still that lost little boy who wormed his way into my heart.'
Her hand extended without thinking – there was a coldness that evaporated the moment their skin connected, and it was almost as if her essence could breathe a sigh of relief as they travelled hand-in-hand to their special perch overlooking the inky waters of the Black Lake. She had already prepared the dim candles that would surround them, as well as the small number of wards necessary to give them some privacy. This was not a good day for her Harry, and as such, she would be the one to calm and comfort him in his sorrowful mourning.
The bite of the wind was low, but still a bit jarring. She was grateful of the mind to put thick tights on underneath her billowy, emerald skirt that Harry had complemented her on oh so long before. She eyed him subtly, noticing how handsome he was becoming as he aged – the baggy clothes he once wore had been replaced by more form-fitting casual wear. Dark blue jeans and a loose, button-up, dark-purple shirt seemed to match her clothing and once again she wondered if others saw them as siblings or something greater.
She loved him. That much she knew. 'How much can you know of how much you have become my world? That I look at you and see more than Harry Potter. I see my friend. I see a connection to my soul that no one has ever brought out before. Who are you really that you could inspire such feelings in me?'
They spoke softly to each other, their fingers latched together as each groove and line was sweetly caressed by the other without any thought.
The night passed smoothly as they leaned into each other's embraces. The sunset was naught but a thing of beauty to them, while Harry's head lay atop Katie's breasts – her arms around his slightly shaking form while her hands stroked his face lovingly. Each silent teardrop wiped away with affirmations of her affection to him.
'To be so lonely… Harry, no matter what, I will always be beside you. Always.'
They sat there together until the moon, so full in the sky, became raised high above their heads. Both their eyes drooped as tiredness settled in their minds. The twisting of the roots of sleep multiplying until the duo's heads settled atop each other's in a comfortable rest.
Katie smiled at the knowledge that in this moment, Harry was hers. No fans, no teachers, and no others. For in this time and place, her Harry was just that – hers.
"C'mon, Harry, it's getting late." She stifled a short giggle at the groan he let out yet bit back a breath as he moved further into her hold. The butterflies were now tearing at her gut, yearning for escape. Her mind grew hazy and her eyelids became heavy. "No. Harry, you'll catch your death of cold out here. We may be magical, but I don't want to see you suffer."
"Can't we just stay here? Just a bit longer?"
His eyes peered into her own, and a rattled, gasp of air escaped her as she was about to do something that she could never take back –
"Dog?"
The startled yelp broke her out of her stupor. 'Idiot,' she seethed internally, refusing to show any of her emotion to the boy who had jumped out of her arms. 'What were you thinking!?'
"That's the dog. The one from before. I keep seeing him around. He's friendly though and likes to play."
Katie's gaze followed Harry's as they both witnessed the enormous black dog run through the long grass. Her brows became raised as she thought she saw something human in its sight, and in its mannerisms. 'I live in a world where the tree on the school grounds is alive and likes to smash things.' "Harry, don't you think there's something different about that dog?"
"You mean about how smart it seems?"
Katie felt a fleeting moment of surprise before burrowing it beneath her. 'He's considered the smartest in his year. Of course, it's more than just in magic.'
"Harry, he's coming this way."
Harry knelt down, still atop the rock, as the dog bounded towards him, tongue to the side and an almost humanlike grin baring menacing looking fangs. Katie crawled over to Harry's side, her arm snaking across his middle as her opposing hand ruffled the surprisingly soft fur. She smiled wide and bright when she felt the hesitant arm reach around her waist, with as gently tug pulling her into the familiar warmth that had lately been keeping her up at night thinking about it.
The dog watched her, a calculating stare sending her still as she felt Harry continue with his affection to the animal beside her. A small line of sweat dripped down her cheek as a pressure built in the air, before leaving as quickly as it came, forcing an exhale that was sorely needed.
'What was that?' she looked sharply at Harry. 'We need to leave. This dog is dangerous. We need to leave now!'
She refused to hurt Harry but began moving him away from their special place and back towards the castle. "I'm sorry, Harry, but we're going to be in so much trouble if we aren't back in time for curfew." 'You swore you wouldn't ever lie to him.' "Please, I really am sorry, but I don't want you to get into trouble."
Harry didn't say a word for a few moments but nodded with a thankful look behind a loving smile. Katie smiled in return but remained in front, too late remembering the things they left behind. 'Leave them. Nothing important or irreplaceable.' She stared forward, her heart and eyes burning as she refused to look back at the dog that she knew would be staring back.
'Liar.'
They were accosted by the professors the moment they entered the main castle doors. Though Flitwick and McGonagall had fussed most profusely, it was the fondness shown the Vector that had her gut roiling.
'Keep calm, Katie, keep calm. She's a professor. What exactly is she going to do to him?'
"I'm fine, really. Please, you don't need to keep fussing. I was with Katie the whole time."
"What's wrong, Professors?" she asked politely. They looked to her as one, and there was a feeling of foreboding as the hairs at the back of her neck stood on end.
"Sirius Black attacked the Gryffindor Portrait. All students of the House shall remain within the Great Hall tonight, with all lessons tomorrow being cancelled."
Katie was unsure if she heard correctly, but while speaking, it was as if Minerva McGonagall – affectionately referred to by her Lions (in secret of course) as the 'The Iron Claw' – had her voice crack midway through her words.
'Black…'
"Why would he attack the Portrait," Harry said with some curiosity in his voice. Katie couldn't be surprised anymore at the lack of true concern involving his safety. "In fact, why would he be here at all? It doesn't make much sense."
'The dog.' It struck Katie like lightning. 'Could he be… But he's had so many chances. If it is him, then why does he seem protective. Could there be something I'm missing? Is there something more? It's too much of a coincidence otherwise.'
She was unaware that in her internal musing that her grip was tightening on Harry, until she heard a sharp hiss from him. Yet by this point, her innermost thoughts were moving frantically; so much was happening at once and all of it was something that she refused to accept.
The two were ushered into the Great Hall, where all heads turned as one. She refused to let Harry out of her sight – Fred and George, two who she trusted explicitly with Harry's safety, had to drag him into the trophy room at the side of the hall to get changed. Alicia and Angelina forcing her into her pyjamas when Harry had come out.
No sooner had she changed, was she sprinting out, ignoring the mass of Lions around them, and moving hastily to Harry's side. Never had she felt something like this before. There was fear within her, and a sorrow she couldn't comprehend. But most of all there was a boiling rage that threatened to escape. Never had she felt anger on this level in her life; there had been brief moments of irritation, but her ever-kind mind had always brushed it off. Many in her year had accused her of putting on an act to fool everyone. That there was no way someone could ever be so inhumanely compassionate to others, or so genuinely kind that it seemed almost impossible to believe. Yet she was. That was the way she wanted to be. It did not mean she was naïve, nor ignorant in her behaviour. She just simply wanted to exist in a peaceful world where everyone could be nice to one another. Thusly, the lack of historic anger.
She held Harry close to her, his head flush against her chest. She knew that her heart was pumping faster than she had ever felt it before but did not care. She did not care what others thought or talked about. All she knew was that Sirius Black may be closer than the others believe, and possibly – if her theory was correct – not actually out for Harry's blood.
'But if someone who's considered as deranged as him isn't trying to kill Harry. Does that mean that there is someone worse in the Tower? Or is there something far deeper in the works?'
Unbiddenly, her mind kept retreating to what she almost did. Images conjured of what she had almost done, and the consequences of her actions. Yet she knew she did the right thing in not perusing this line of thinking, and that her addled mind didn't want such an occurrence to happen again, nor for the fantasies that had been plaguing her dreams to come real. Not when such an evil act had been performed upon their home. She would not enforce those forbidden desires while the events were unfolding around them.
'Liar.'
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Harry loved the sky. The feel of the wind brushing his skin, and the rush of adrenaline as the broomstick understood his command and magic.
The sun of the Australian desert burned him profusely, but as long as he kept moving, he reckoned, he could bring enough of a breeze to cool him down. The fact that the team kept being forced into breaks every 10 minutes was a massive bonus too, but he liked to think that his way was best.
He was cooling himself off with a tight turn, absently realising that the Australian Seeker slammed himself into the stands as he believed that Harry had spotted the Snitch with the speeds and manoeuvres, he was performing.
'Oops.'
In reality, his head was not quite in the game, especially considering what had happened the week before. 'Well, three things really.'
He could handle the attack on the Common Room. To him, potential danger was enough to trigger some sort of relaxing reflex that caused his anxieties to dip. Baring in mind his constant brushes with violence, he really knew he should have seen it coming. It still affected him, that was a given, but he knew the almost aloof way he was handling it was not normal. 'Maybe I really am damaged. No normal person has the same life I do.'
Then there was that almost-kiss – or at least that was what he thought it was. He didn't know what it was that was happening then and there, but by the end of it he could feel her warm breath on his lips and his body freeze up at the dipping of her head and reddening of her cheeks. He had felt sick, and he had felt terror well up in him.
A flash of gold flew in front of him, and his body automatically turned towards it, thrusting the broom forward as the hunt began.
'But I wanted it too… I think. Maybe.'
He felt so confused, but he knew at the time that his emotions were all over the place, and that Katie was helping him mourn the deaths of the people that he was so conflicted about. On one hand they had left him alone in that house, to suffer with those people. Yet on the other, they had sacrificed everything for him. 'Damned if you do and damned if you don't is what people say.' His head swerved away from an incoming Bludger as his course took him low to the ground. 'She's done so much for me. I can't jeopardise what we have by thinking that I'm allowed to have such feelings.'
The conflict warring inside of his heart and mind had him denying that such a thing could even have almost happened. He would dream of love and happiness and joy unbound but knew deep in his soul that he had been cursed more than once that Halloween so long ago.
The Snitch struggled feebly as it tried to escape from his grip. Albus Dumbledore and Remus Lupin applauding in the stands were overshadowed by the red-robed British Auror's – a sight he recognised from Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley - as well as the Australian Security Yowie's and national Auror's that dotted the stadium.
'So, Katie was right,' he thought, a dark cloud consuming him as it dampened the joy he had been feeling when the whistle began their sky dancing. 'There's something more to all this, and it involves Sirius Black… and me.'
Author's Notes:
So, it's been a while since my last upload, but here's the next chapter in this story as an apology. Can you spot this chapter's cameo event? I've decided that each chapter will (hopefully) have some sort of reference outside of Harry Potter. I'll only leave a single clue though if it cannot be spotted. All I'm going to say is that the Witcher games are amazing and I'm now – finally – replaying Wild Hunt with the intent to romance Yen. Bit of a Triss fan, but thought I'd give the canon pairing a whirl. Also, I've only read the first two books. I have the others, but most of my Witcher knowledge comes from the games.
Also, in response to the reviewer who asked: I am a huge Maiden fan and will attempt to do so.
For the first time, we see a large portion of the chapter filled with the perspective of Katie. I wanted to show some of the inner workings of the character who has become the biggest part of Harry's life, and I hope I've done it okay.
Next Chapter: The Marauders