Books in Series:
Book 1: A Girl Can Be More Important Than a Firebolt
Book 2: Light of the Heart
-o-
A/N: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights.
-oOo-
Chapter 5
October 11, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
It was the first Friday night since start of term they had not pulled a round for one or both of them. He had a feeling Cho was pulling on them to help the new fifth year prefects because they were always paired with one or two of them. They also didn't complain about doing rounds on a Friday night, like most of the seventh years. Once Harry was seventeen, he could go into Hogsmeade any weekend he wanted. Hermione could now, but chose to stay with him.
Hermione looked a little nervous as she led him through the halls. They had traded a night each for an almost two-hour slot in the Prefects bathroom. It was typically only an hour, but neither had really used the privilege this year and Friday evenings could be busy. Hermione had not been wrong, there was nothing in the rules against more than one person in the bath at a time. Harry had no clue if this was one of the perks that no one talked about, or if it was an overlook by the Professors.
Either way, Harry didn't care. He hadn't seen her in a bikini in almost two months and he missed that. Neither of them were daring enough yet to remove clothes in areas they might get caught, and seeing Hermione's bra down a half unbuttoned blouse a few times now was so much more intimate than her even skimpier bathing suit. He wasn't sure why, but she seemed more shy and they both moaned more when it was other clothes they were working around.
They both looked around before slipping into the door on the fifth-floor.
Once inside, Harry was always pleased to see the marble floor and small swimming-pool like bath. Last year he had come a few times during the general hours for boys. Now, it was all for Hermione and him.
"I'll just take the stall on the far side," Hermione said, pecking him on the cheek.
There were a few stalls along the wall and Hermione moved to the end one. Harry smirked as she shed her jumper and gave him a sly smirk before disappearing into the stall. "Bloody hell, she's hot," he whispered to himself.
A few moments later, he heard the water going and the smell of roses and lavender filled the air. It was a little girly for him, but it smelled so much like Hermione he didn't care.
He stepped out with his glasses on. He wanted to see this.
Hermione was lowering herself into the water wearing the yellow bikini she had at the end of the summer. Quickly, only her head showed above the bubbles. "You coming in," she asked swimming over and turning the three spigots off.
"Yeah," he said jumping in and she screamed at the water splashing over her. "Harry," she yelled with a laugh as he came up next to her. Even with the soap and what not in the water, he had found last year he could open his eyes without them stinging. She playfully splashed him and he laughed to grab her arm and pull her in. She didn't resist and wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped one around her waist and held the side of the pool with the other. "A little impatient," she asked with a giggle.
"I have only pecked you a few times today and haven't seen you in a bathing suit since your last day on Sark," he said, huskier than he meant to, but having her nearly nude body against his made his blood run hotter than he could remember.
Her brown orbs took on that molten look that usually meant she was going to try to snog him senseless and she leaned in to meet his kiss as he pulled her closer, feeling her chest crush against him. His tongue looked for immediate entry and she gladly forced her own against his. They kissed and he moved into slightly shallower waters so he could stand and brushed her chest with his hand as the one that had been holding the side of the tub moved down her side. She moaned into his mouth and his hardon pressed into her leg.
A moment later, she pulled back. "Can you touch me like that again," she asked.
The smirk on his face was as much to hide his desire and to show his pleasure in running his hand over her chest again. She had started to allow him to do that as much as he wanted, usually seeming to very much enjoy it. She arched as his hand fully cupped her breast. Through the bikini, he felt when he ran over her nipple and she bit her lip.
With some effort, she asked, "Maybe we should talk first?"
Harry kissed her again. "If you want," he said distractedly, his mind and body not thinking of talking with her right now. Don't get him wrong, he liked talking with his girlfriend, but not when she was wearing so little and pressed against him like this.
She looked at him very intently. "Did you read the contract Uncle Ted sent us?"
His body started to calm down as he forced himself to think straight. "Yeah. Do you really want to talk about it now?"
She bit her lip again before nodding. "I do. I have thought about what Aunt Bel talked to us about after leaving my parents last week."
He had too. His Aunt had pretty much said unless they wanted to break up now, the bond would be at a point their magic would be ready to mix within a month or so. At that point, they could still decide to leave each other, but it would hurt and most likely cause damage to their magic. Harry would never hurt her like that. "I don't have a ring yet," he told her.
She smiled and pecked him. "I don't really need one."
"You should have one," he told her, his brain crashing through his hormones. "At the least you should have one of the Potter rings, if not a Black ring, if we are to be betrothed."
"Do we have to announce it? Aunt Bel agree you should keep it silent until you have to reveal it," she said.
"I love you, Hermione, and if you are that serious about me, I should be that serious about you," he told her.
She smiled. It was a sweet smile, but one that sent a thrill through him. "Are you sure?"
"The betrothal will need to be filed with the Department of Magical Records. I would like to stay quiet as long as possible. I would also prefer people to know you are mine and not to mess with you," he told her.
Her eyebrow rose. "Yours?"
He flushed. His mind was not thinking totally straight, especially to feel her leg rubbing against his. "I don't mean I own you, but yes, mine. I don't want anyone else to have you, my beauty."
"Good. We should make sure everyone else is good with the contract and meet with Uncle Ted on the twenty-sixth. I want everyone to know you are mine too," she said before leaning in and giving him a big kiss.
Harry was intoxicated with his hormones and had reached for her bottom. She squeaked at first before groaning as she pressed into his hardon. After a moment, she pulled back. Her lips were slightly swollen from kissing so hard. She bit her lip again and her half-lidded eyes looked as sultry as they did uncertain. "We are in a bath," she said.
"That is what they call it," he snarked, trying to hide his desire for her. It didn't matter the bath was the size of a small swimming pool. Of course, the way she said it brought out images of the clothes you should wear in a bath, or more the lack thereof. Harry would not push her, but they were wearing to much clothing.
She chewed on her lip for a moment before reaching her arms behind her back. "Could you wash me," she asked in a whisper that had his blood pumping, his heart thudding against his chest and his excitement so hard it hurt to be caught in his trunks. She undid the top of her bikini and threw it out of the tub. Bubbles covered some of her, but he could make out one of her pink nipples below the water.
His sixteen-year-old mind melted as he reached for her. She let him pull her to him. "If you want," he told her.
She didn't try to cover herself, instead putting her hands on his chest. "Only if I can wash you after," she said, still looking shy.
Neither of them removed their trunks or lower section, but Harry had never felt so clean when they were done. He also found Hermione liked him kissing places he hadn't before, bringing a grin to his face when she groaned his name.
-oOo-
October 31, 1996
Hogwarts, Scotland
He was as excited as he was nervous today. Headmistress McGonagall had canceled the last two classes today so people could get ready and the Great Hall prepared for a party. Harry wasn't sure what to expect. It was open for the whole school. For those that didn't want to attend, refreshments would be offered in each Common Room.
It felt like a holiday.
In the entry hall, a photographer was taking pictures for a galleon each. A few reporters and other photographers were roaming the Entry Hall and the now open doors to the Great Hall. The main doors were open and Harry could see some games and stalls. Many of the younger years were gravitating in that direction and while many of the fifth years and up were moving towards the sounds of a band warming up in the Great Hall. He had never seen anything that sounded this fun while was Dumbledore here.
The five Gryffindor sixth-year boys had all decided to dress as old fashion Highland Scots. Seamus had convinced them and Gladrags had many costumes and regular styles. Apparently, it had been a popular costume fifty years ago and they didn't really have anything more modern. Neville and Ron looked a little self-conscious to be dressed in a 'skirt', as Ron called it.
Harry had to admit the kilt felt a little odd, and drafty at times. He forgot all about it as the girls came down to join them.
Unlike the boys, they all had different costumes.
Lavender was dressed in a short black dress with cat ears, a tail and face paint to look like a cat. Harry saw the ears twitch and he wondered who helped her with that. He had his suspicions Hermione had done that.
Parvati had on a very old fashion dress and tall hat, looking like a princess out of a fairy tale. Her sister Padma had joined her. She was in a black dress, that was a little more form fitting on the top, with black wings and a black halo. The wings looked real, if small.
The other girls were cute, but it was the girl in a white dress with white wings and a golden halo over her head that caught his attention. Hermione was beautiful. The dress she wore was form fitting on the top, highlighting her figure, exposed her legs below her knees and the smirk on her face was just as attractive as the rest of her.
"You can close your mouth, Harry," Lavender laughed as Hermione came down to join them.
"You look amazing," he stated awed.
"Thank you," she replied. "You're handsome yourself."
"Do I get a kiss from an angel?"
"Depends," she said, coming a little closer.
"Depends on what?" he asked, taking her hand.
Hermione moved in and pressed against him. She went up on her toes to whisper in his ear. "Whether I'm a good angel or bad one tonight."
Harry felt his face heat some at the tone in her voice. "Which one snogs me?"
"Not sure yet," she whispered back.
Dean laughed. "I don't think I've ever seen you so red," he pointed at Harry.
Hermione pulled away, looking abashed and Lavender hit their friend before he could say anything else. "Hush. It's sweet. Now, are we getting a few pictures, or what?" Lavender asked.
"Sweetly disgusting," Seamus agreed.
"You're only jealous because you don't have anyone," Padma told him.
"I asked Sue Li, but she was already going with someone," he told them.
"She's not your type," Lavender told him.
"And why not?"
"She likes boys with some muscle and she'll flatten you if you try anything with her," Lavender said with authority. "Last I heard she was second in the Underage Duelling League. You should have asked Brocklehurst or Abbott."
Seamus looked to think about it for a moment. "Maybe."
"Ron, get her in line and snog her or something," Parvati told her friend. Lavender pulled him away. "Dean, will you escort me tonight?"
Ron had scrunched his brow and took Lavender by the hand. Dean looked surprised. The twins and his other dorm mates hadn't come with anyone. With a smile, Dean extended his arm. "M'lady," he offered, acting all chivalrous. Seamus laughed and got an evil eye for it.
Padma eyed Seamus. "Guess I'm stuck with you for now," she snark and Seamus chuckled.
"Guess so. Come on you two," he said.
"Where did Neville go," Harry asked, looking at the crowd around them.
"Over there," Hermione said nodding.
"Harry and Hermione, come on," Ron called out to them over the general chaos in the Entry Hall. All the prefects had been told to take the night off to enjoy, the rules were relaxed for the night and they had been told about the activities. The Masquerade competition would start about nine and a winner announced about ten. Everyone was to be in their dorms by eleven and in classes by second period tomorrow.
"We are waiting for Nev," he called back. His cousin was waiting by the stairs to the dungeons.
Ron gave him a thumbs up and the rest of them got into line. Hermione started to move towards Neville and pulled him along.
Neville was dressed like them, with a tartan kilt and the full plaid. "Don't you look dashing," Hermione said with a smile.
His cousin returned a nervous smile. "I hope so," he told her.
"Here they come," Harry nodded. Astoria was walking up the stairs with Amanda and another of her dormmates, followed by Daphne and Tracey. Daphne and Tracey had on more traditional medieval dresses in green and red while Astoria's room mates were in highly stylized dresses and masks, like a real Masquerade.
Astoria, on the other hand, looked more like a cat than Lavender. Her ears and tail were black and her dress was tailored perfectly for her form, without being unfit for a higher class party.
Harry had to say Astoria was cuter too. He had learned to keep his mouth shut though. Hermione was the only witch he wanted, and the only one in his dreams at night, or if he daydreamed in a very boring class with Snape, or those times he caught himself staring at her in their lab...
Hermione nudged Neville as Astoria came up to his side. Neville started. "Evening, Astoria. Are those real," Neville blurted looking at her ears.
Harry unsuccessfully hid his laugh. Hermione elbowed him while Neville turned red and Astoria giggled, moving her ears. "For the night. Do you like them?" she asked, her tail switching in pleasure.
Neville gave an abashed smile. "Yes," was all he said.
"Daphne and Tracey you look lovely," Hermione told the other Slytherins that decided to stay.
"Thank you. I wish I had a figure to pull that off," Tracey said to Hermione.
Hermione flushed a little. "Lavender and Parvati convinced me."
"You really do look beautiful," Harry commented, making her look pleased, and even more color in her cheeks.
Daphne chuckled. "I never thought I would see you blush like that."
"I'm not blushing," Hermione told them. "It's just warm in here."
This time Astoria and Daphne both laughed.
"If you ever give Potter up, I have dips next," Tracey said quietly.
Hermione took his arm tightly. "Tracey, I like you, but stay away."
Daphne clucked. "Told you not to start anything," Daphne told her friend.
All three Slytherin girls took on their masks as the drawl of Draco came up the stairs. "...said the Minister is furious. I was warned not to start any trouble. Can you believe that? Some prissy blood traitor..." Draco trailed off when Pansy nudged him and they came to the top of the stairs.
Harry just stared his cousin down. He was not going to take the boys lip and Harry was guessing Great Aunt Augusta was not having much success in gaining his House if Lord Malfoy was concerned. Draco kept an even face, but his eyes betrayed how much the cousins didn't like each other.
"Careful, Greengrass. You shouldn't be hanging around the wrong sort," Pansy said. Harry had always disliked the girl. She reminded him of a pug with a Pitbull personality.
"You mean like you," Astoria retorted before any of them could stop her. Daphne's eyes looked daggers at her sister.
Neville stepped before her as Draco looked ready to open his mouth. "At least I associate with those that are Pure. What do you have? A mudblood, two blood traitors and a halfling," Pansy scoffed.
Hermione stiffened. "That will be two points," Hermione spoke up.
"For what," Draco snarled, but didn't insult Hermione. Harry was thinking he had gotten through, or his father's threat wasn't just a threat.
"Using an insult that Headmistress McGonagall has banned," she told them, moving to Harry's side.
Draco's neck tensed and his goons stepped forward. Harry and Neville took a step up, making sure all the girls were behind them. "Will it be another two points for starting a fight," Harry asked.
Hermione elbowed between them. "Just go on your way," Hermione ordered the Slytherins.
Draco put a hand on Pansy's arm and shook his head when she looked at him. She looked rather displeased, but didn't say another word until they were out of earshot.
"I'm sorry that happened. Malfoy and his friends are berks," Harry apologized as he turned around.
Tracey looked at Harry, her mask had fallen. "Do you have a brother or another cousin like you?" she asked, her hand going up to fan herself.
"Neville is the only one I like," Harry responded. Astoria moved next to Neville and glared at Tracey. Hermione wasn't looking that pleased either.
Daphne shook her head before glaring at her friend. "Excuse her. She's just uncouth."
Tracey smiled at them. "You sure neither of you don't have a brother or another cousin," Tracey pressed.
"Draco," Harry said, "But Hermione likes you too much to do that to you."
"Leave me out of this," Hermione said hitting his arm.
"Oi! You're the good one tonight," he complained.
"We'll see how good you are," she said with a look that told him he could be in trouble or in for a good snog.
Astoria chuckled. "Dean is right. You are whipped."
"Hey!"
"Harry is the only cousin young enough, Tracey," Neville said. "Miss Greengrass, would you care to lineup for the pictures?"
Astoria beamed at Neville. "I would love too. Come on."
Tracey made a half frown and Daphne took her arm. "You said you would stay with me tonight unless someone cute asks you to dance," Daphne informed Tracey.
"All the really cute ones are taken already," Tracey complained as he offered his arm for Hermione and they all lined up.
"I think Dean and Seamus are going Dutch," he told them.
"Seamus," Hermione corrected.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Pavarti really likes Dean?"
"Dean likes her and Padma set them up for the night," Hermione informed him.
"What about Entwhistle. He's really cute," Astoria said in front of Daphne and Tracey.
"I heard Abbot asked him to accompany her," Tracey responded. Then sighed. "Besides, father would never approve."
"What about McMillan then," Daphne offered.
"Maybe." Tracey shrugged
"Kevin is a muggleborn. Is that why your father won't approve of him," Hermione asked.
Tracey frowned. "I have been told I will get no inheritance if I don't choose a proper husband. If I don't have a potential suitor by end of next year, father has threatened to find one."
Harry felt his blood heat up. This was why he never wanted to claim his lordship or live under the Ministry. Many magical governments had outlawed these practices in the sixties and seventies. Britain was a hold out that still allowed a Head-of-House to do this.
He was going to have to have a talk with Aunt Bel. She needed to know about Tracey and offer the girl another alternative.
Hermione looked at him. "I can smell the gears turning and you are hurting my hand," she told him gently.
Harry hadn't realized how hard he was squeezing her hand and released it. "I'm so sorry," he said taking her hand to his mouth and kissing it.
"We'll take her aside as soon as you hear back from Aunt Bel," she whispered.
He gave her a sad smile. Sad because of Tracey. A smile because of Hermione. He kissed the back of her hand again. "I love you," he told her.
Someone made a gagging sound. Harry wanted to stick his arm out but saw the Headmistress on the stairs looking over the activities. "Sleep lightly, Seamus," he told their friend who was waiting for them now they were through the picture line. Harry was not above using some of the special stuff still in his bag, or taking out his invisibility cloak.
Thinking of that, maybe he could convince Hermione to sneak out one night. He hadn't shown it to her yet.
"It's just so sweet," Seamus said sweetly.
"Harry, just leave what you have on my bed. No need for you to be caught," Neville proposed.
Seamus looked shocked. Neville didn't often get involved in their pranking.
"Thanks. Knew there was a reason you are my favorite cousin," he told Nev.
"I'm telling Dora," Hermione piped up.
"Oh, no you aren't," he warned her.
Hermione smirked. "Just try and stop me."
Dean, Daphne and a few others laughed. "Are you done yet," Dean asked. "The girls went to find us a table and I would like to get to my date."
"Go then. We'll catch up," Harry told them.
"Don't need to tell me twice," Seamus said, giving a small salute and walked away with Dean.
"Seamus is a half-blood, correct?" Daphne asked.
"His mum's a witch. His father didn't know until the wedding night," Harry chuckled. "His mum said he almost walked out on her that night."
Daphne looked after him. Harry wasn't getting involved in whatever she was thinking. He had his own girl to think about and that was all he wanted. After some pictures with the six of them, and then Harry and Hermione and Neville and Astoria, they made their way into the Great Hall. It felt like a huge party. They found the group they came with and soon two round tables were taken by the group. Ernie McMillan and Micheal Corner joined them, and eventually Ginny, Colin and a few others.
It was the first time that he noticed the Chaperones were all non-Professors and things were going smoothly. After eating what they could from a few buffet tables, Hermione dragged him out to the dance floor. Harry hated the stodgy dances his Aunt had taught him. The more wild jumping and grinding to the Weird Sisters was actually quite fun, and Hermione seemed to like it.
He wasn't sure the difference, but she was much more mellow this year. She actually was happy. He wasn't sure if he was the cause, but he liked how other people saw the lovely girl she was and that he had seen for years.
It was close to ten when the Weird Sisters stopped to take a break and a sweaty group retreated to their tables. "Where's Ron," Seamus asked as they sat. Daphne sat next to him, but he didn't see Tracey.
"I saw him and Lav sneak out about twenty minutes ago," Parvati said fanning herself. Dean brought over some punch and she thanked him.
"You need anything," Harry asked Hermione.
"Punch or water. Two, please," she requested leaning on his shoulder before he got up. Like him, she was flush from the heat of the dance floor.
"Who knows a cooling charm," Dean asked.
Hermione perked up. "Oh, I didn't think of that," she said pulling out her wand. "Refrigero."
Her wand touched him first and he shivered as his body suddenly chilled down. The sweat disappeared. "It was like a cool breeze. Teach me?" he asked excitedly.
"Later. Refrigero!" She shivered too and he leaned down to peck her.
"Love you. Be right back," he told her as she helped their friends.
"Don't take too long."
Daphne shivered before they all insisted the girls get it first. Harry was thinking how Hermione had been pressing against him as they danced when he walked up to the table. A witch he recognized was serving punch. "Evening, Mrs. Abbot," Harry said in a friendly tone. The Abbots were on the Wizengamot, but as a lower house. As far as he knew, they couldn't prove they were true Pure bloods.
"Good evening, Scion Potter," the woman said with a smile. "Are you enjoying the night?"
He gave her a big smile. "It's brilliant. Are you the one who organized all this?"
"That would be Lady Greengrass and a few other of her friends. I was just asked to help. Have you seen Hannah tonight," she asked.
"Not really," Harry admitted. He was more focused on his girlfriend and friends. Hannah, Susan and a few others hadn't spent any time with them outside of their study groups this year. He had to admit he missed Susan's humor and love of quidditch, but he hadn't realized how large of a crush she had on him. He felt bad for hurting her, even if he hadn't known he was doing it.
"I should take these back," he told her, thanking her again and turning. He pulled up short to see Ginny right behind him. She looked flush, like most that had been dancing.
She was in a more muggle style pirate costume that rose up her calf very high and exposed her shoulders and the top of her chest with how it had been shifted. Not that Hermione hadn't looked the same before straightening herself out after dancing. He was actually surprised the Professors and Chaperones were not reigning them in and had given the Prefects the night off.
He had a fleeting thought Dumbledore may have done quite a bit to repress things.
Ginny gave him a huge smile. "Harry! I haven't seen you all night," she said a little loudly.
Harry looked at her funny. She had sat with them a few times and danced with his group most of the night with Colin or a boy he remembered being from Ravenclaw. He was sure the boy was in Ginny's year. "Ah, sure. Ginny, are you alright?"
She took a step towards him and when she breathed, he smelt the fire whiskey on her breath. Oh, bloody hell, he cursed to himself.
"I feel fine. You should come dance with me. Oh, I needed a drink," she said, reaching for one of the cups in his hands splashed it all over them.
"What the hell, Ginny," Harry yelled at her as she stumbled into him and tried to wrap her arms around his neck.
She looked like she was ready to kiss him. "Oh, come on Harry. I'm a quidditch player. You're a quidditch player. You're the most popular guy in school. Why be with the bookworm? What can she offer you?"
Harry tried to back away again and hit the table. "Ginny, you're drunk and need to get off me." He couldn't push her away without dropping the cups.
"Is something amiss here?" Mrs. Abbot asked.
Ginny tried to wrap her arms around his neck again and he did drop the cups, feeling the punch soak into his socks. He reached for her arms and pushed them down and held her at arm's length. "Mrs. Abbot, can you get Madame Pomfrey. I think Ginny needs a sober-up potion."
"Harry, I love you. I had this big thing planned when you visited Ron this summer, but you never came over," she said, tears coming into her eyes. "I love you."
"Ginny, I am with Hermione and that is not changing."
Mrs. Abbot came around the table. "Come on, dear. Let's get you to a Professor," she said kindly, putting an arm around Ginny's shoulder. Harry let her go.
Ginny took the opportunity to grab his shirt. "Harry, you're supposed to be with me. I love you. You love me," she sounded desperate.
"Ginny, let me go. I like you as a friend," he told her.
Tears started to run down her cheeks. "What did she do? Open her legs and get pregnant!"
"That is uncalled for," Mrs. Abbot chastised.
Harry, trying not to use too much of his strength, put his hand on her shoulders and pushed her back again, breaking the hold she had on his shirt. "You ever say something like that again and you are off the team. Stay away from Hermione and me unless it is on the pitch. I don't want you around. Just stay away."
She flinched, as though hit. Headmistress McGonagall came over. "What is the issue?"
Ginny screwed her face, as though she was in pain before suddenly pitching forward and tossing up all over his front. He backed up and hit the table, stumbled and the table pitched and he fell over, dozens of cups spilling and covering him in punch and the glasses shattered as they hit the floor. "Bloody bollocks," he cried out.
When he moved to get up, he felt the glass bite into his palm.
Ginny looked at him, a look of horror on her face before looking like she might be sick again.
"Harry," Hermione yelled rushing to him.
"Miss Chang, get Ms. Weasley up to the Hospital wing. Don't move, Potter," she told him.
Hermione was already rushing in.
"Watch the glass and everything," he warned her.
Her wand was in her hand, "Evensco," she said in a slightly shrill voice and her nose crinkled at the smell. "Scorgify!"
The glass was gone, and most of the vomit and spilled punch, but his costume was stained and smelled awful. His hand was also bleeding pretty bad. He didn't even have time to really look at it before Hermione took his hand. "What is it with you and getting hurt," she scolded as the Headmistress moved in. There was a huge crowd around them.
"I don't know. Aunt Bel said you know boys are having fun when they come home without scraped knees."
"And this was fun?" she asked rather forcibly.
"No, but you need to calm down. It's just some glass in my hand," he tried to soothe her.
He looked up and he saw the concern and anger in her eyes.
"Don't vanish the glass. Wrap his hand and get him up to the infirmary," Headmistress McGonagall told them.
Hermione didn't hesitate to take a piece of her dress and rip it. She wrapped it around his hand and then helped him up. Their friends were there and looking at them. "Just have some fun," Harry told them.
Ron rolled his eyes and stepped up to him. Neville said something to Astoria before moving in with them as Hermione held his hand up and they left the Great Hall. He sighed. This was not how he wanted his night to end. "You two should be with your dates," Harry encouraged them.
"I'm going up to get you a change of clothes. You aren't coming back to the dorm like that," Ron told him. "Lav was going to get your handbag and Harry's plaid and get you something, Hermione."
Ron sighed. "I need to check on Ginny too."
Harry was royally pissed with Ginny. "Ron, I understand she was drunk, but I don't want to be around her."
Ron sighed again. "Yeah. Sorry about that. I didn't think she would do that. I should write Fred and George. Ginny doesn't need a howler from mum."
They all winced. Mrs. Weasley had done that a few times, Harry even being on the receiving end second year when he had helped the twins with a prank. Aunt Bel had been pretty displeased with that and Mrs. Weasley didn't do it again to him. What was worse was the four nights of detentions to clean all the paint off the walls and floors. Harry hadn't realized how much trouble a few dozen pixies with muggle paint balls could make. Of course, they had been enchanted by the twins to multiply the paint inside of them.
"What did she do," Hermione asked. "I only saw her upswallow."
"Later. Nev, are you sure you shouldn't escort Astoria back if that was a date?" Harry asked.
"She understood. Daphne was going to go back with her. I'll see her tomorrow," Neville reassured him. "Also, Hermione is strong and all, but she is going to need help if you fall."
"Berks," Harry retorted.
Ron chuckled. "You know it."
"Thank you," Hermione said gratefully.
"It's what family and friends do," Neville told her.
"If you're with Harry, figure I should do the same Harry would," Ron said shrugging.
