School seemingly returned to normal, at least to the new normal under Umbridge's thumb. Harry has begun his training with Snape in Occlumency, training sessions that leave him greatly exhausted. Tonight had been particularly aggressive.
"Potter, you are not the only person who has greatly angered the Dark Lord, it would be especially wise to shove back the memories of Ms. Rosier for her sake," Snape spat, putting away his wand and calling it a night.
Harry drug his feet along the stone floors of Hogwarts, feeling as though the entire school was sitting on his shoulders, scratch that, the entire wizarding world. The ache of fatigue settled into his body, leaving him feeling helpless and his actions fruitless. The immense doubt was still there that anything he could do would help in any fashion. If he couldn't keep Voldemort out, he was sentencing his friends and family to death. A chill crept up his spine and twisted around it, like a python with a constrictor hold.
He and Rowan had a Valentine's Day date arranged in Hogsmeade tomorrow afternoon at Madam Puddifoot's as she had not been able to spend a great deal of time with him outside of DA meetings. Back in his dorm, he had some chocolates from Honeydukes she had mentioned liking, taking advice from Sirius and Aurelia in hushed whispers through the fire. He missed her company greatly, often plotting whether it would be wise to sneak her in the Gryffindor common room after hours, fearing the wrath of McGonagall or her facing Snape on her way back. Rowan was a main subject of his concern as much as he tried to push it back and repress it for the fear of Voldemort worming his way into his attachment. He worried about the recent escape of Death Eaters from Azkaban. Her brother, Rufus, had not returned to Hogwarts after Christmas and when she had mentioned it to the aloof Dumbledore, he dismissed her worries. Harry worried about her potentially being harmed by the more darker figures of the Slytherin house, but reassured himself that Rowan could take care of herself. While he didn't trust Snape himself, he felt comfortable in that Snape wouldn't let bad things occur to the young woman, but he wondered how much that statement held water.
Once in the common room, Harry sat down with Hermione and Ron, who were plotting something.
"I know something that could help the way the others see you, Harry, and I've developed a plan, well along with Rowan and Ron," Hermione said.
"You saw Rowan?" Harry said, getting excited.
"Not what this is about, Harry, but yes, she's fine. I know Rita Skeeter is an unregistered Animagus if you recall and I know that she does not want anyone knowing that. So, Rowan, in her beautifully cunning manner, suggested that perhaps if I make Skeeter barter me not saying anything for a truth piece about you, the public opinion would shift. I consulted with my previous pet beetle, and she has agreed to terms."
"'Mione and Ro thought to blackmail her, brilliant, isn't it?" Ron smiled, the white of his teeth exaggerated by the glow of the flames from the fireplace. Harry's face stretched into a smirk and a smile.
"I talked to Luna and she said it could be published in the Quibbler, since her and her father support you, so you're good, mate, this should help," Ron said, smirking.
Harry breathed out a sigh of relief, "This plan could work, thanks guys."
They nodded and chatted off and on about their classes, assignments, and the future to come before splitting up and heading to bed.
The next morning brought a chilly breeze and nerves to Harry. It was Valentine's weekend. Getting dressed and trying to look more presentable, Harry rushed to meet his girlfriend, only barely stopping to grab her gift. Meeting her near the castle exit, he couldn't help but gawk at Rowan. She was stunning as always, a gray turtleneck clung to her like a second skin and nice fitted black slacks accentuated her figure. Her short, neck length curls were coiled and her face was accentuated with a little bit of makeup.
"Hi Harry, Happy Valentine's," she smirked, walking over and hugging him.
"Hey Ro, to you as well," he grinned against her neck, inhaling her scent, always either a citrus-freesia or a mint-pine mixture, and the warmth of her skin, pulling back slightly to kiss her, surprised when she began to take the lead.
The raven-haired witch pulled away and laughed, "Sorry, I just missed you."
Harry smiled and offered his arm to her, which she gladly took, weaving hers through his and standing close to him.
"Oh, if Dolores saw us now, violating her education decree of boy-girl distance, she'd zap us into the next century," Rowan laughed.
"Well, I would feel terrible upsetting her and disobeying her rules," Harry mocked, planting a kiss on Rowan's cheek, making her squeal with laughter.
The pair continued to jest and chat while they walked to the tea shop in Hogsmeade. Once seated, the pair glanced at each other and the other couples trapped in snogging sessions, laughing lightly. Harry slid the box of chocolates to Rowan, happily watching her face turn into a smile and she pushed her gift to him, a kit for him to add some accessories to his broomstick. The couple laughed and enjoyed their tea, reveling in alone time together. After Harry paid, much to Rowan's objection, the pair wandered into the streets of Hogsmeade, fingers linked and smiling. Catching sight of their friend's mane of curls and waves, they followed Hermione into the Three Broomsticks, meeting the eyes of Luna Lovegood and Rita Skeeter. They rushed over and granted Skeeter the interview, indulging the woman a chance to make up for years of slanderous writing.
Leaving after a glowing interview and quick chatter with Hermione, Harry and Rowan walked back to Hogwarts, watching the light slowly evaporate from the sky. Riffling through objects in her bag, Rowan pulled out a flask and took a swig of whatever it contained. Harry raised an eyebrow and she giggled, taking another sip.
"What do you have there? Is that underage alcohol possession, Rowan? I thought you were an upstanding student and so good as everyone claimed," Harry laughed, smelling the cinnamon bite of Firewhisky.
"Have you drank before, Harry?" He shook his head 'no'.
"I, um, tried it when my dad's friends started their visits. Now, it's just something for fun or when I'm alone and thinking too much."
Harry stopped, turning and catching her face in his hands, "No one will ever touch a hair on your head again, Rowan, I promise, I lov-," He caught himself, hearing her sharp intake of air, feeling the word almost slip from his lips.
Rowan's breathing stopped and tears rose up in her eyes, did he regret what he had almost said? She pulled her face from his hands and walked forward at a near jog in pace.
Harry's athleticism allowed him to catch her by the arm, "Stop, Ro, stop."
Stealing a long stare, she timidly spoke, wiping stray tears away, "Did you mean what you almost said?"
"Yes, Ro, I'm just scared that it's too soon or sudden and I don't want you to go away."
"Harry Potter, I love you. I would do anything for you. You're my person."
"I love you, Rowan," Harry declared, pressing his lips to hers passionately, feeling the cinnamon spark of the Firewhisky on her lips, making him kiss deeper, arms wrapping around the smaller girl, dropping the kit she had got him. He gently lifted her and she enveloped his shoulders with her arms, reveling in the feeling of being pushed up against a nearby tree. On a normal day, Rowan might've complained about the scratch of the bark along her back, but with this feeling, with Harry, she couldn't complain about a single thing. She broke to grab a gulp of air and proceeded to attack his lips with hers, pulling him closer. Their lips continued the dance for a bit longer, slowing and eventually stalling as the pair fell into an embrace.
"Blimey, Ro. You're more intoxicating than that Firewhisky," Harry laughed.
The pair caught their breath, gathered their discarded belongings, and returned to the castle on the hill. Leaving Rowan with a hug, Harry jovially bounced up to the common room, feeling immensely lighter, greeting McGonagall on the way who gave him an odd look he'd worry about later. The Weasleys and Hermione sat on the couch, immediately putting eyes on Harry. They burst into laughter and Harry furrowed his brow as to why they were laughing.
"That's a nice color on you, Harry, suits your skin," Fred joked.
Harry sat his stuff down on the table, rushed to the nearest mirror, spotting a little dark pink lipstick around his own mouth, leftovers from the hurried make out in the woods. His face turned red as rouge, this was the reason for McGonagall's questioning glare. He smoothed his messy hair down as well.
"Aw, she got you a nice kit for your broom, have you taken Rowan for a ride on the Firebolt yet," Hermione questioned, holding up the broom kit.
"I think there was definitely riding, but I don't think it was Harry's broom," George chimed, making his twin and Ron burst into laughter, nudging each other.
"Haha, very funny, not what happened, knock it off," Harry said, rolling his eyes.
"How was your date, Harry?" Hermione asked, trying to shift the conversation away from the lewdness of the boys.
"It was fabulous, uh, yeah," Harry said, feeling embarrassed about speaking out more about their relationship.
"Something happened, huh, you seem different?" Hermione was staring daggers at him.
"Uh, we said it."
"Said what? Spit it out, you tosser," Ron teased, laughing.
"That we.. uhm… you know, loved each other."
Hermione's faced beamed and a wide smile graced her face. Ron's drained of all color and gulped, not expecting that to be the result. Fred and George snickered, with Ginny storming off.
"What's up with Ginny," Harry asked, confused by her actions.
"She's had a little crush on you forever, Harry, it's innocent though, I'm so happy for you all," Hermione explained away, waving her hand as if to say it was no big deal. Harry just nodded, he had never felt that way for Ginny and only saw her as a younger, sister figure.
"Harry, do you think Ro could help me with my essay for Charms?" Ron's voice was meekly, Harry seeing it as a win for his acceptance of Rowan.
"I'm sure she'd love to, we can ask her tomorrow, I think she mentioned going to the library anyways." The group remained in the common room chatting until the early hours of the morning, bonding over plans for the DA, jokes, or ideas on how to overthrow the pink-clad demon that was Dolores Umbridge, many including Puking Pastilles and Fever Fudge.
In the morning, after they had finished their breakfast, Ron, Hermione, and Harry met up with Rowan. The young woman had a spring in her step as she quietly slipped into the chair next to Harry, their eyes meeting in understanding of the new nervousness that had entered their relationship with their declaration of feelings the previous day. Ron was amicable, even cracking a joke or two with the Slytherin, which she happily batted back to him. After a few hours of assignments and O.W.L. prep, the bunch left to grab dinner. Things were beginning to look up for the group.