A Poem on the Nature of Year Three:
A year of thirds and oft ignored
A plethora of changes nigh onboard
A chronic case of travel undone
A romance found in paths unwon
A Curse that hurts both large and small
A Mystery bounds our heroes all
As you read the teen attitude
To the beta supreme is my full gratitude.
Thanks again to my beta Mogul.
Previously: Harry gets an incredible artefact from the Headmaster, a device that lets you travel through time – only to be used in the gravest of emergencies, but still… a Time-Turner! After far too long alone with just Dobby, Harry is excited to return to Hogwarts, and aboard the Express he meets two of his new rival Seekers, Cho Chang, and Cedric Diggory, both alarmingly cool and friendly. And soon, he knows, they will arrive in Hogwarts, but what sort of drama and horror might the new year bring…?
Harry and the Mysterious Curse of the Girl-Who-Lived
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: WELL, A BIT AWKWARD, INNIT?
A high pitched screech jolted Harry awake, and he realized it was the mighty whistle of the Hogwarts Express. When he looked around the compartment, slightly bleary, he saw Neville had returned and was quietly reading.
"Finish up," said Parvati quietly to Ron and Susan, who apparently were still playing a game. "I need to wake up Harriet so she can change."
"I'm already awake," said Harry in a grumble. "Give me a minute here." He rubbed his eyes and then took a more close look around. "You lot are already changed, I see. How close are we to Hogwarts, you reckon?"
"Probably only ten minutes or so," said Neville a bit distractedly. "The changing room should be free."
After Harry had returned wearing his crisp, Parvati-mandated brand new robes, he felt far more clear headed and ready to face the Hogwarts crowd.
Parvati gave him a nod and a smile of approval. "See Harriet? Don't you feel a touch grander with your new robes?"
"No comment," said Harry airily and Parvati giggled.
"Are you children decent in there?" A voice called out from outside their compartment.
Ron scowled. "Yes!" He shouted back. "Are you?"
Fred and George opened the compartment door with big smiles. George winked at Ron and said, "Ronnie, looking sharp! Winning the game are we?"
"Don't bother trying to distract him," said Susan. "He needs all the concentration he can manage to play even with me." And then she smiled widely at the twins. "Ron says you two aren't as good at chess anyway so I suspect that's the only way you've won."
Fred rolled his eyes. "We're not here to be attacked by some random 'Puff. Not yet, anyway. Are we Georgie, old boy?"
"We are not, my good lad," said George with a nod of his own, keeping a very serious expression on his face. "Not in the slightest."
"Then why are you here?" Parvati asked with a note of clear annoyance in her voice. "To wind us up? We get enough of that from the Slytherins."
Fred gasped and held a hand to his heart. "Comparing us to the Slimy Slytherins? You wound me, my dear Patil."
"Are you here to give me my birthday present?" Harry asked slightly loudly before it got any further out of hand. "I was wondering when you'd show up."
The twins shared a look and then nodded in sync.
"Well spotted, dear lady Potter," said Fred. "We wanted to have a minute or so of your time before we reached our lady Hogwarts."
"It's not a prank, is it?" Ron asked with a scowl.
"Worry not, Ronniekins," answered Fred with a grin. "It is a legitimate gift."
"That said," said George. "We would like to respectfully request to briefly give us some privacy. Longbottom? Bones? Lil' Weasley?"
"I think Ron's a bit taller than you, actually," said Susan with a giggle. "But I don't mind it if it's some sort of secret."
"I notice you didn't include Parvati in your warning," said Neville as he got to his feet.
"We know better," said Fred with a nod towards Parvati. "There's no way Harriet will agree to keep things secret from her. The rest of you lot, I think it's fair to ask for a touch of space."
"Fine," said Ron in a somewhat angry tone. "Harriet, if they aren't on the level, you tell us, right?"
"Naturally," said Harriet with amusement. "I think we'll be fine."
After the others had left, the twins both pulled out identical wrapped gifts - colourful paper covering something the size of a piece of parchment or perhaps nothing at all.
"It's not empty, is it?" Parvati asked with her hands on her hips.
Fred chuckled and George gave a guileless smile. Then Fred took on a bit more of a serious expression.
"We wanted to pay you back for your great service to the family," said Fred. "Saving Gin Gin and all that. Plus we know Patil had a part in it."
"Sort of," said Parvati with a frown. "I mean I went down to the Chamber with Harriet and Lavender and..." She made a face. "Lockhart. But I was kinda knocked out during the important bits."
"We are aware that Harriet Potter was the true heroine," said George with a pompous tone. He grinned at Harry and then turned back to Parvati. "Mayhaps you both weren't there for the actual saving Gin-Gin part, but it's fair enough you also know about it, Patil. We do not overlook any service to our family, however minuscule."
"Now without any further ado," said Fred and he nodded at his twin. "The packages, good sir?"
George handed one to Parvati and Fred gave the other one to Harry. "Can you guess which is the real one?" Fred asked as he tapped his chin in a faux thoughtful motion.
Parvati carefully pulled open hers, which was revealed to be empty after all. She flipped over the wrapping paper, and then flipped it back again.
"Harriet, do be careful," said Fred with a frown. "It's not so delicate, but we wouldn't want it ripped on accident."
Harry's copy was revealed to be something after all, an empty, somewhat weathered piece of parchment. But holding it, Harry felt something was a bit off about it. "A blank parchment? Is this magical or something?"
"Only in the best of ways," said Fred who was now grinning. "Georginald, would you care to do the honours?"
George leaned over and tapped his wand and said, with a suddenly serious voice, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Harry blinked but then he saw that the parchment had shifted and an image had come to life, a map that appeared to be the Hogwarts grounds. He could see little images on it, with labels of "Professor McGonagall" near the entrance of the school, "Headmaster Dumbledore" in his office, and "Almost Professor Hagrid" waiting near the lake.
"Is this what's happening right now?" Harry took a deep breath as he considered the possible implications. "It shows the professors?"
"Not just the teaching folk," said Fred with a huge grin. "All students show up too, just none are there yet. Now you should know, us two didn't create this wondrous artefact ourselves." He tapped the top of the map where it proclaimed itself to be the Marauder's Map, the work of Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs. "'Twas these fine four gentlemen."
George nodded and put a hand on his heart. "Our inspirational forebears, our progenitors of purpose, those innovators of ill intent, those maestros of mischief..."
"'Almost Professor'?" Parvati interrupted as she was looking over Harry's shoulder. "Why's it say that?"
"Oh, that happens when someone is there for a professorship their first year but hasn't been announced yet," said Fred. "It's happened once or twice as we've seen it, usually the Defence professors. Just one of the many little jokes the Map likes to throw at us."
"It's dead useful in other ways too," said George and he pointed to a one random statue. "See this?" As they watched, a little bubble of "Evadere" showed up and the statue moved. "One of many secret passages on the grounds. This one takes you out to the lake, or close enough. We think it was meant as an escape in the olden times if things got dangerous."
"There are others, including one to Hogsmeade and a few more that simply go to other places in Hogwarts," said Fred. "The Map has been vitally useful for the two of us these past few years."
"If it's so useful," said Harry. "Why are you giving it to me?"
The twins exchanged a look. "Well, maybe it's not so much a gift as a bit of a loan," said Fred.
"An extended loan," added George. "But a loan nonetheless. We shan't just ask for it back, but if we really need it briefly for something, we'd appreciate a return without any muss."
"Naturally there's also the matter of Sirius Black on the loose," said Fred with a frown. "Last year, we missed him sneaking around in Hogwarts. We figure you'll have more peace of mind if you can check for him yourself."
George nodded. "You know, that he's not hiding around the next corner or whatnot. So yes, perhaps normally we wouldn't have simply offered the Map as a birthday gift, but with Black out there too?" He made a face of disgust. "Better to be safe about it."
"So Sirius Black would show up here?" Harry asked as he watched the Professors walk about the Map.
"Well, we haven't spotted him," said Fred. "I reckon we were asleep or something. But we figure, if the Headmaster is visible, hard to imagine that Black would know something Dumbledore doesn't."
George cleared his throat. "Although keep in mind sometimes the Map likes to play tricks - it sometimes shows one of the Marauders out and about."
"We've seen Wormtail and Moony a couple of times, although never in person," said Fred. "When we tried to ask the Map-"
"Ask the Map?" Parvati repeated with surprise.
"Yeah, it's a clever thing," said Fred with a fond smile. "Took us some time to figure it out. Walked us through our paces too. So if you spot any of the various Messrs, don't expect it to actually be them. I mean..." He looked at his brother and raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe it'll really be them?" George said with an eyebrow raise of his own. "Although that hasn't happened just yet."
"'Twould be a fair day indeed if we were to meet them," said Fred with a sigh. "We think they were in school around the time of our parents or grandparents maybe. The Map gang did imply that perhaps they knew Snape, but they never used his name so we're not certain."
"But we strongly recommend never telling Snape," said George with a tone of warning. "Can't stop you, but really, don't."
"We know you're the only Gryff he favours," Fred added. "For some unknown reason."
"It's because he was-" Parvati started to say but then caught Harry's eye. "Was... was simply blown away by Harriet's overwhelming charisma and stylish spectacles."
The twins laughed.
"Well, we've only got half of that, so that explains it," said Fred and he snickered a bit more. "If you have any particular questions about it, let us know, but part of the fun is figuring out the secrets for yourself."
"Is there a way to change it back to the blank parchment?" Harry asked.
"Naturally." George grinned. He tapped the Map again and said, "Mischief managed." Instantly the parchment was a parchment once more.
Harry grinned. "Brilliant. No worries, nobody will find out about it."
"If it's a true emergency, real loss of life only, I suppose Ronniekins or Longbottom or Bones are trustworthy," said Fred with a dismissive wave. "But the fewer that know, the less likely it gets confiscated."
"We filched it from Filch's office," added George. "So obviously don't let him find out either."
The Express whistle sounded again, and Ron peeked his head into the compartment. "All good, ladies and gents?"
Harry quickly folded up the Map and tucked it safely into an inner pocket. "We're ready to get a move on Ron," he said. "Fred, George - thanks for the help. And I'll put in a good word with Snape."
The twins made identical faces of dismay. "I know that's a joke, Harriet," said Fred. "And a right terrifying prospect it is too. Keep our names out of Snape's mouth, if you please."
George nodded and poked his brother. "We must be off as well, almost at Hogwarts my lovelies."
After the twins had left, Ron gave Harry a curious look. "Are you really going to keep their gift a secret?"
"If you need to know, you'll know," said Parvati airily. "In the meantime, Ronald, shall we prepare for exit?"
Neville elbowed Ron unnecessarily as he passed by. "Sorry, mate," he said with an obvious grin. "Arm slipped."
Ron snickered. "Laugh it up, Longbottom. We'll see what slips when you're not paying attention."
"You're really not going to tell us?" Susan asked, a bit plaintively.
Parvati patted the Hufflepuff softly on the shoulder. "Susan dear, this is just a little secret from the twins. I think for now it's fine. Okay?"
Susan nodded but she seemed a bit hurt nonetheless.
Behind her, Lavender Brown walked up with a big smile. "Ah, there you are! Neville said you were holed up here by yourselves."
"Harriet did take a brief holiday at one point into the train," said Parvati. "But she came back after running into Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang."
"Oooh, really?" Lavender dramatically plopped down into an empty seat. "Those two, they're quite the couple, aren't they? Very good looking, both of them really."
"You should ask Harriet, she saw them most recently," said Parvati, and there was some odd hitch in her voice.
"I'm sure I didn't notice anything," said Harry quickly. "They were nice though."
"Well, I've noticed enough for you," Lavender said with a giggle. "I passed them by too. He's so tall and she has those striking eyes, you know?"
Susan laughed. "Do you fancy one of them or both?"
Lavender smirked at her. "Nothing so simple, I'm sure."
Susan frowned, looking confused, and Harry felt that he didn't entirely understand the exchange either.
"Have you spotted Hermione or her Ravenclaws?" Ron asked as he put away his chess set with a bit of a longing look at it.
"Of course," said Lavender. "Talked a bit, but they were thick as thieves, didn't really seem so sociable. Less than normal, which is saying something."
"Something's up with them," said Parvati with a frown. "Although Harriet says I shouldn't pry."
"You probably shouldn't," Lavender told her with a grin. "Let me take care of it instead."
Parvati laughed. "May just take you up on that, Lav."
Harry sighed and leaned up against the window glass. He could see the dense, dark woods of the Forbidden Forest and knew - they were almost back at Hogwarts.
"It's been too long," he said quietly to himself. "Good to see you, old girl."
The night continued as to be expected with another slightly different song from the Hat, a Sorting where the first years seemed smaller than ever, and an overabundance of excellent food.
The only things of note were the moments Harry still expected to happen.
"A few quick announcements," said Dumbledore with a smile. "Firstly, as has unfortunately been a long standing tradition, we have yet another Defence professor joining our lauded ranks. But this year, we are honoured by the presence of one of our more erudite alumni, Professor Remus Lupin."
Harry applauded, just a bit more than was polite, catching Lupin's eye who seemed amused by it.
"Did you know?" Parvati asked in a whisper.
"For the most part, I just assumed he'd be here, and then I saw him on the train," he whispered back. "But I have a good feeling about him."
Once the applause had died down, the Headmaster continued. "And another bit of news. Our dear Professor Kettleburn has decided to retire with his remaining limbs, but thankfully we have an excellent, sturdy replacement with our own Rubeus Hagrid!"
Hagrid stood and waved, looking quite nervous and with uncomfortably fitted robes - and then Harry realized his robes were meant to be nicer than normal. Harry stood and began to applaud, and the other Gryffindors followed his lead immediately. Quickly, the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables followed suit, although none were applauding as loudly or as ardently as Padma Patil. Hagrid wiped his now teary eyes, clearly shocked at the approval.
"She's going to be insufferable," said Hermione in a grumble after they sat down. "She was annoyed when I told her I didn't think Hagrid would ever be a professor."
"Not very sporting of you, Hermione," said Ron as he stuffed a roll into his mouth. He swallowed and took a gulp of water. "You know how those Ravenclaws of yours look up to you."
Hermione gave him a scathing look and then she giggled. "Alright, I think I take your meaning."
"Feel free to take her off my hands too," said Parvati brightly. "Leaves more time for me and Harriet without being bothered!" And she gripped Harry's arm tightly and leaned against him. "And I think Padma does like you besides that."
"I think it was a mistake, Hermione," said Harry with a grin. "I think Hagrid will be a brilliant professor."
"Well..." Hermione didn't meet his eyes. "I do hope you're right."
After the meal as they were walking back to the dormitory, one of the fourth year boys approached Harry and Parvati.
"Nice to be back, isn't it?" The boy said with a weird grin. "Harriet, you planning to dominate the skies as per usual?"
"Bugger off McLaggen," said Ron with his teeth clenched. "They don't want to hear it from you."
McLaggen rolled his eyes in an obvious way and shrugged. "I don't see them complaining, Weasley."
"We're tired, Cormac," said Parvati in a pleasant voice. "Harriet needs her rest if she's to continue 'dominating the skies', doesn't she?"
Cormac raised his eyebrows but nodded and walked off.
"Bloody git," Ron said in a growl.
"Just leave it for now," said Lavender softly to him. "He's a fourth year, and you don't want to start anything."
"Don't I?" Ron grumbled but he didn't say anything further about it.
"Oh, um, Ron," said Harry a bit loudly to get his attention. "I've been meaning to ask you - did you ever find Scabbers?"
Ron sighed. "No, I haven't. Percy reckons he found some warm hideaway somewhere here or at the Burrow, but I think he was just trying to pretend Scabbers is okay. He probably got eaten or something. He was so old, he couldn't outrun any cat or whatever."
"I'm sorry," said Harry. "I'm sure Hedwig would never have hurt him. But I'll keep an eye out." He didn't say that it was likely Scabbers was probably gone, as Ron clearly knew it.
Lavender softly patted Ron on the shoulder. "We'll all miss him, Ron," she said in a soothing tone.
Ron sniffed a bit and then cleared his throat loudly. "Um, no need for all that," he said with a shaky grin. "I'm sure he'll turn up one day. You'll see."
Parvati gave Harry a guilty look, and he was sure she was recalling their conversation about finding Scabbers creepy. But faced with Ron in person it didn't seem quite the same.
"Ron, I was reading in International Quidditch Monthly about the upcoming early qualifying games," said Harry, trying to distract his friend. "I think we've got a pretty fair shake representing at the World Cup next year."
Ron grunted, still frowning, but then he seemed to think for a second. "Probably the players at Montrose or Holyhead have the best shot at making the team, as per usual. Unless..." He brightened. "Did they say anything about the Cannons?"
"I've got the latest issue, you can borrow it," said Harry with a smile. There was no good news about Chudley in it, but Quidditch talk was better than moping about even when it drove you spare.
When they arrived through the portrait entrance, nobody had left for their dormitories and the Common Room was packed. Percy Weasley was carefully herding people around in a fussy way, with the prefects following behind him with nearly identical expressions of annoyance.
"Alright now, calm down everyone," Percy said loudly. "I'm Head Boy, in case you didn't already know. Professor McGonagall will be here in a minute to discuss some specific security reminders for the year. I've made sure to brief our prefects-" He gestured to the surly-looking group. "But as I'm a Gryffindor myself, I'm sure they don't mind a bit of personal attention before I'm off to my duties."
Fred and George exchanged a look and shook their heads at the same time.
"Not falling for it, Perce," said Fred. "Too easy a setup."
Percy's lips tightened. "I hope you aren't so flippant when the Professor gets here."
After only another few minutes of the students nervously chatting in a mild din, McGonagall arrived.
"Enough everyone, settle down!" McGonagall cleared her throat and everyone immediately quieted. "You may recall some of our security precautions from last year, what with walking in groups and wearing inverted spectacles. That much, thankfully, will no longer be required, but it is both the Headmaster's recommendation and my own to continue not walking by oneself."
She looked over the crowd and seemed to sense the next questions. "You will not be punished for walking alone, but if you do so, you may receive a gentle reminder from a prefect or professor. Now that said, we are instituting a curfew for all first and second years for two hours after supper."
A chorus of groans met this and McGonagall raised her voice and continued with, "And a further curfew for all third years and older for three hours after supper."
Now the noise began to grow a bit more of control and McGonagall raised her wand, causing a loud banging sound. "This is for your own safety, not my arbitrary whims, students. I know quite well the nature of my house, I'm sure some of you on the older side are already planning how to skirt the curfew and somehow track down Black themselves."
Harry noticed quite a few of the sixth and seventh years seemed to look away from the Professor in response. Ron scowled, Parvati gripped Harry's arm tighter with a deep frown, and even Hermione was looking at the Professor with concern.
"For such violations, there will be severe consequences," said McGonagall sharply. "And if you believe you have a valid reason to stay out later, you may formally request permission from me, one of your prefects, or the Head Boy or Girl. Keep in mind that we will all be notifying each other about such requests, and we shall be paying close attention."
She sighed and looked around the room. "I know this is a difficult situation, but until Black is found and apprehended, we must ask for these security precautions to continue. Now then, Mister Weasley and I have duties to attend to, so Prefects, if you will?"
When Harry and the girls had finally gotten back to their room, Parvati flopped onto her bed with an enormous scowl. "How are we supposed to do anything?" She asked angrily.
"I have a few ideas," said Harry carefully, thinking of both his Cloak and the Map. "We can talk it out later."
"Although I quite understand the Professor's caution," said Hermione with a frown. "I believe it will also cause us a few difficulties."
"What sort of difficulties?" Lavender asked and then she giggled. "Ooh, are you planning to meet someone for a secret snog session?"
Hermione scowled at her. "I don't need your teasing, Brown. I'm going to go wash up!" And she left the room in a huff.
Lavender made a thoughtful noise and grinned at Harry. "You hear that, Potter? Didn't sound like a denial to me."
"None of my business, I'm sure," said Harry although he didn't hide his smile as he relaxed on his soft bed with a sigh.
"None of mine either, but keep at it, Lav," Parvati said. "It'll keep us all sane."
The first day of classes had Harry excited about a few new courses that were only offered to third years and above. First would be Divination, which wasn't exactly the most interesting subject (Hermione had refused to sign up, taking the far more difficult Arithmancy instead), but Parvati and Lavender were very excited about it. After that would be Care of Magical Creatures, the first for No Longer Almost Professor Hagrid, with every single Gryffindor of their year on the roster.
The first class taught by Lupin wouldn't be until the next week (alongside their first Potions class), and Harry was not the only one highly curious about it.
"I know it turned out Lockhart was a bit of arsehole," said Ron in what was thankfully in a happy tone as they finished breakfast. "But I reckon our Mister Lupin might actually have an idea what he's on about."
"What do you think, Harriet?" Hermione asked. "You've talked to him a bit, right?"
"Yeah, he was a friend of my parents," said Harry, feeling this was a safe thing to say. "He seems pretty smart if you ask me. Nice bloke, certainly, and he didn't write any textbooks we'll end up debating about."
"Small favours," muttered Neville.
Harry started to walk with most of the Gryffindors, while Hermione joined with her Ravenclaw friends to head towards Professor Vector's classroom. As he passed by Cho, whom Harry had barely noticed sitting there, she quickly wiped her mouth and leaped up to intercept them.
"What... what do you want?" Parvati asked, sounding nervous.
Cho smiled at her. "Harriet probably mentioned to you that we talked on the Express."
"Yes, she did," said Parvati, her face oddly blank.
"Well, the first week or two will be quite busy," said Cho, who didn't seem to notice Parvati's peculiar reactions. "But Ced and I were thinking of having a bit of a little picnic-luncheon this Sunday, whilst the weather isn't entirely unreasonable. Hopefully we'll see you there!" She looked at the other Gryffindors and then shrugged. "If your friends would like to come and hang out, I'm sure that would be alright too."
"I think that probably would work," said Harry carefully. "Can we talk the specifics later? I don't want to be late for class."
"Oh, of course, Harriet! Enjoy your first day! I know I will." Cho hugged Harry quickly and then whispered. "Invite the Quidditch team too if you like." Then she broke off, a big smile on her face. "See you at lunch!"
Nobody spoke until they were near the North Tower, and then Ron said, "Alright, I'll say what we're all thinking: That bird is proper fit."
"Ron!" Lavender scowled at him. "You're not supposed to just say that sort of thing."
"I know you agree," said Ron with a smirk. "I remember what you said on the Express. Neville, you know I'm right, right?"
Neville ducked his head, his face red, and said something. It was too soft for Harry to hear, although Ron chuckled.
"Maybe you're onto something, Lav," said Ron with a thoughtful tone, a big smile on his face. "Sounds like something one of the twins would say. So let's just say I wouldn't mind losing a quidditch match to her. I mean, I would mind, but, you know."
Lavender giggled.
"Alright, that's enough from all you lot!" Parvati snapped. "Don't raise a ruckus when we're with Professor Trelawney, I beg you."
"They'll behave," said Harry in a soothing tone. Then he turned to the others and said with a mildly sharp tone, "Won't they?"
Lavender winked and Ron said, "Do my best, Harriet."
The Divination classroom was quite unusual, overstuffed with old and cutesy furniture, uncomfortably warm, and with a very strong scent of perfume and incense permeating the air.
Harry wrinkled his nose as he found a small table to share with Parvati.
"Ooh, this is all so mysterious," she said with a happy smile. "Where is the Professor?"
"I am here," said a voice, and Professor Trelawney walked through, her spectacles seeming improbably huge - her eyes were magnified to nearly half the size of her face. "Very good to finally see all of you in the corporeal realms."
After she introduced the subject of Divination, she looked around the room and looked at each person in turn. "Hmm, you there," she said to Neville.
"Er, yes?" Neville said with a confused look. His nose looked a bit red, probably because of the overwhelming odours.
"Am I correct to say that you live with your grandmother?"
"Yes," said Neville. "Of course."
"I hope she stays well - my Inner Eye sees odd darkness in her future."
"Um, thanks." Neville scratched his head. "Is that something I can learn to predict?"
"If you have the Gift, dear boy," said the professor airily. She then proceeded to identify potential horrors in each person's future. Ron was bound to have an athletic accident, Seamus to get lost somewhere, Dean to forget something important, and Lavender to have something she desperately desired come to pass in a terrible way.
Finally she reached Parvati and Harry's table.
"Difficult to say," the professor said as she looked them over. She didn't speak for a minute, instead making thoughtful noises. "I see a great joy and great sorrow in your futures," she said finally as she looked at them both. "Although I cannot say which comes first."
"Oh no!" Parvati said with a gasp.
Harry felt that he was getting increasingly less interested in the vague premonitions, and although he continued to follow along with their initial exercises, he was unable to muster the same level of excitement Parvati had. He also wondered if she even noticed his disinterest at all, as she continued chatting away about their teacup predictions as they walked to their first Transfiguration class.
"I wonder what else we'll be able to predict," she said as they entered the classroom. Professor McGonagall seemed to hear this and she shook her head with a sigh. She looked over at Harry and seemed to be taken aback for a moment, and then she actually smiled at him.
"Miss Potter, Miss Patil, please take your seats."
The rest of the class went about as expected, although McGonagall gave Harry points for his "well considered, if incorrect" answer, which was fairly atypical for her.
They all walked over to Hagrid's class, with Hermione joining in after also sharing their Transfiguration class.
"I am not unhappy I've missed that woolly class," she said with a pleasant expression once they were outside. "Honestly, Arithmancy seems far more interesting anyhow."
"Maybe it is," said Harry, wondering about it himself. "But too late to change things now."
Parvati gave him a fake angry look. "Don't pretend that Trelawney's predictions didn't shake you up, Harriet. I think I may have got some of that Inner Eye coming on."
"I don't," said Harry with a grin at her. "So you enjoy."
"I nearly fell asleep," Ron said as he yawned. "Thinking about it now makes my eyes cross."
"You make my eyes cross all the time," said Lavender in a teasing tone. "Every time I look at your face."
Neville didn't bother to hide his snicker.
Hagrid paced around a bit nervously as the Gryffindors and Slytherins slowly congregated around him.
Draco Malfoy looked over at them and sneered. "Surprised to see you with your little playmates, Potter. Isn't Care of Magical Creatures too scary for a bunch of wee girls?"
Ron's face darkened, but before he could say something, Daphne Greengrass hissed, "Piss off, Malfoy. They aren't the only girls here." Then she gave Harry an apologetic look.
"How dare you?" Pansy said in a low, angry voice. "Don't you apologize to the Gryffindorks."
Parvati gave a loud fake laugh. "Ooh, such a horrid burn from Pansy the Pug Faced Princess."
Lavender gasped in reply, while Daphne seemed to be hiding laughter, as did Tracey Davis. Pansy was so shocked by the insult that her mouth just hung open.
"Er, maybe yeh all should settle down now, eh?" Hagrid worried his hands a bit and then cleared his throat. "Right, yeh. So we got an interesting class fer yeh today. Lot o' interesting, fun creatures to learn about, straight from ol' Scamander's book."
"Surprised he can even read," said Draco in a clearly audible grumble.
"But yeh'll find a lot more help in what's doin' than what's readin'," said Hagrid, now with a big smile. "And luckily, that's what I'm best at. Come on, then."
Hagrid introduced them to a small herd of hippogriffs, and gave them careful instructions on how to deal with them.
"Er, anyway, do yeh kids think yeh'd be up ter it? Shouldn't be too bad."
Harry was about to volunteer when Parvati raised her hand. She smirked at him and whispered, "I know this will infuriate my sister."
"Ah, great! C'mon then Parvati, I'll introduce yeh ter this one." He brought forward a proud looking hippogriff, who looked disdainfully down at them. "His name's Buckbeak."
Parvati now looked nervous, and Harry couldn't blame her - those claws and that beak looked sharp.
"You've got it, Parv!" Lavender shouted out in encouragement.
"Finish up already, Patil," said Daphne in a bit of drawl. "The rest of us want a turn."
Pansy muttered something angrily, but Harry couldn't make it out.
Parvati took a deep breath, met the hippogriff's eyes, and then bowed gracefully.
After a beat, Buckbeak knelt his head and dipped down to his knees. Hagrid grinned widely. "Well done, girl! Yeh can pet 'im now if yeh'd like. Just don't be rough, and stay polite."
"Ooh, his feathers are so soft!" Parvati said in delight. "He's beautiful, aren't you Buckbeak?"
It wasn't quite certain to Harry, but it did seem as if Buckbeak appreciated the compliment.
"Parvati, he seems ter like yeh - would yeh fancy tryin' ride him?"
Parvati seemed taken aback by the question. Then she shook her head. "No, I'm not the flyer here. Not like Harriet, of course."
Draco made a scoffing noise. "Please. I'm a far sight better than any girl, especially Perfect Potter."
"You'd better watch your mouth, Malfoy," Ron said, stepping forward. "You haven't even been on the pitch yet!"
Crabbe and Goyle walked in front of Draco, both looming menacingly with fists clenched, and then Draco smirked.
"Letting Weasley fight your battles, Potter?" Draco asked. "As per usual."
"A'right, that's enough out of yeh, Malfoy," said Hagrid with actual anger in his voice, although it was muted. "Been hearin' enough of yer insults all day. Yeh won't be gettin' a chance with the hippogriffs today, that's yer punishment."
"Punishment?" Malfoy made a scoffing sound. "Like I'd want to bother bowing to some mindless, hideous beast?"
Buckbeak screeched loudly and started forward - Malfoy jumped back, although he was quite a distance away.
"Shh, don't listen to him," said Parvati softly. "He's an idiot. I think you're very handsome." Buckbeak gave Malfoy a baleful look but calmed down at Parvati's continued ministrations.
"You're a bloody mindless bint, Patil!" Pansy yelled suddenly. "That stupid thing is likely to scratch your pretty little eyes out."
"Think my eyes are pretty, do you?" Parvati asked, fluttering her eyelashes. "Sorry, dearie, you're not my type. I prefer those with proper noses."
"Enough!" Hagrid said loudly, which was very loud indeed and everyone looked at him. "All this arguin' ain't good around the hippogriffs. Parkinson, yeh won't be workin' with them either. And Parvati-" He gave an apologetic look at her. "Better let some others get a turn."
As Parvati walked over to the group, Hagrid whispered (although it was loud enough that everyone clearly heard him) "Sorry, but gotta be fair as a professor, Parvati."
Parvati didn't say anything, but she did give Pansy a very pleased look.
Everyone else took turns bowing to and grooming the hippogriffs, even Crabbe and Goyle, both of whom seemed a bit less terrible without Malfoy egging them on. For their part, Malfoy and Pansy stood off to the side, muttering to each other and casting dark looks at everyone, especially the 'traitorous' (this word was clearly audible a few times) Slytherins.
So basically it was all a tentative success, and Hagrid was beyond excited at how well his first class had gone.
"Next time we'll be handlin' somethin' a bit dangerous," he said to the class as they were getting ready to head back to the castle. "Yeh'll love it," he added with a huge grin.
"Doubtful," muttered Draco.
Pansy nodded in agreement, her face pinched with a distasteful expression on her face. "You should tell the Governors about this dangerous class, Draco," she said loudly. "It can't be acceptable for any responsible professor to put students in danger."
"So cancel Quidditch then?" Harry couldn't help but snark at her, but for whatever reason defending Hagrid brought it out of him. "And I suppose Professor Snape will be displeased we can't make dangerous potions anymore."
Pansy and Draco glared at Harry while everyone else laughed to various degrees of sincerity - even Crabbe and Goyle seemed to be chuckling, although maybe it was because they couldn't see Draco's face.
Malfoy whirled around to scowl at the two of them and they both stopped laughing instantly. "Let's go, you two! We have to have a bit of discussion about your bloody loyalty."
And he sped off with his two bodyguards in tow towards Hogwarts, with Pansy struggling to keep up, and the other Slytherins except for Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis following slowly behind them.
"This was fun," said Daphne with a smile. "But don't tell anyone I insulted Malfoy. In Slytherin we're supposed to have each other's backs, at least when other Houses are watching. With Malfoy though, it's difficult." She shook her head.
"We won't," Ron said to her with a bit of a surprised look after he said it.
"But I doubt word won't spread," said Parvati. "Nott and Zabini heard it, after all."
Daphne shrugged. "I can deal with those two. Still, appreciate it Patil. You too, Weasley." And she gave Ron a smile that showed her teeth. "C'mon Tracey, let's go."
Tracey seemed to have a conflicted expression on her face but she followed behind them.
"So kind to a Slytherin, Weasley," said Dean. "A mite suspicious."
"Very true," said Neville in agreement. "I shall have to keep my eye on you."
Ron glared at the shorter boy. "You do that anyway, Nev."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm sure Padma's first lesson with the Hufflepuffs won't be half as exciting as this, so at least I can lord that over her."
Parvati gave her an odd look. "I'm not sure you two have the healthiest friendship, Hermione."
"Oh, don't worry about it," said Hermione as she packed up her things. "It's just our way. Padma doesn't respect anyone that doesn't push her constantly." She looked around at the other Gryffindors. "Well, are we heading back or what? You heard what Professor McGonagall said, we're not supposed to be walking by ourselves."
As they walked back, Parvati leaned over to Harry and whispered, "Still think nothing's going on with Hermione and the Ravenclaws?"
Harry sighed and hoped it wasn't the start of some new obsession of hers. He had more important things to do, like figure out why Cho had invited him to a picnic. But her idea about inviting his Quidditch team, now that he thought on it, seemed pretty good. It'd be a nice chance to hang out outside the pitch and catch up.
After supper, Harry brought up the invitation to Wood, who seemed a bit taken aback by it.
"Are they planning to spy on us?" Wood frowned. "The games were cancelled last year for no good reason, so I was hoping to come up with a few new strategies before the season starts."
Harry decided not to comment on the insensitive 'no good reason' remark and said instead, "I think it's just a bit of fun before we all become bitter enemies on the pitch. Can you tell the rest of the team about it? So that they know not to spill any team secrets?" This last part he added with a bit of an inspired thought, figuring Wood would focus on that in particular.
"Ah ha, good thinking Harriet!" Wood said with a big grin. "You always were a bright one. Maybe I can come up with some fake secrets. Harriet, this is going to be loads of fun, thanks for the idea!" And he ran off to intersect Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet before they walked away from the table.
Harry smiled to himself. Whatever sinister plan Cho might have (or might not have as the case may be), Harry knew he'd be ready for it.
On Sunday as they were finishing breakfast, the fifth year prefects began to walk around the Gryffindor table. The male prefect, whose name was something Simmons, said something quietly to each boy, but the female prefect, whose name was Andrea something, was talking inside to the girls, also too quietly to be heard.
Finally Prefect Andrea reached Harry and she leaned down to hand him a slip of parchment. "This is charmed so that the younger years won't be able to see it," she said. "There is a mandatory family planning meeting for all third years today. You will be with the other girls of your year, the details will appear on the parchment I gave you. I'll be there too, and none of the boys will be, not to worry. Let me know if you have any questions, will you Harriet?"
Naturally, Harry had several, but he didn't bother to bring up any of them.
She smiled at him and moved on down to the table.
The parchment simply said "Find your gender appropriate prefect at 4PM today for a family planning meeting led by Madam Pomfrey. If you miss the prefect the meeting will take place in the overflow classroom near the Hospital Wing. This message will self-vanish this evening."
He looked over at Parvati in confusion, but she had already tucked away her message. "Parvati, do you know this is about?" He whispered to her.
She gave him an amused look. "Very funny, Harriet. You know what it's about. The wands 'n holsters? The hoo-hoo's and the jobberknolls?" She giggled. "Anyway, it'll be a laugh, I'm sure." Then she frowned. "I'm more concerned about your new best friend Cho Chang and her picnic. What's her angle? Why did she invite us?"
"Wood thinks it might be to steal Quidditch moves," said Harry, annoyed that Parvati hadn't really answered his question. "But there's always the possibility that she's just friendly."
"I don't buy it," said Parvati with a scowl and she looked over at the Ravenclaw table, where Cho actually saw them looking and waved with a happy smile. Parvati's eyes widened and she quickly turned back to the table.
"That was way more suspicious than anything Cho's done so far," said Harry with a laugh. "Now I bet she'll think you're up to something."
"She's right about that," said Parvati with a faux prim voice and her nose pointed up. "Or maybe she's confusing me with Padma who most assuredly is up to something." Then she sighed and leaned her face on her hands.
"Harriet," she said. "Why is everything so bloody complicated all of the sudden?"
"Don't ask me," said Harry quickly, who also didn't want to think about it. "Uh, hold on, I need to ask Hermione something." He walked around the table to where Hermione was sitting and gestured his head.
She blinked and got up from the table, walking with him just enough away from the table so they couldn't be overheard.
"What's going on, Harriet?" Hermione asked with a concerned expression. "I do hope you're not worried about what Pansy or Draco said, it's not worth it."
"What? Oh, no, I mostly forgot about that. No, Hermione, I was wondering..." And then Harry paused, wondering if he was making a mistake. But then he shook his head and said, "This 'family' meeting? What's it about? Parvati said something about fluttershys and jabberwockies but I didn't catch her meaning."
Hermione's eyes widened and then she very obviously was trying to hide a smile. "I think Parvati is just using another one of those odd Wizarding idioms," she said finally. "She meant something like, um, the 'birds and the bees', if you know that one?"
Harry winced. "Oh no. This is going to be awful."
"It'll be fine, Harriet," said Hermione. "Madam Pomfrey doesn't brook any nonsense, you know that. And she's done it for years, so she knows what she's doing. Besides, whatever you might have heard in the Muggle world about, well, you know, everything, I'm sure that there are vital differences in the Magical one. Probably Parvati doesn't even realize that they might be different."
'Yeah." Harry sighed. "I suppose you're right, Hermione, but I'm not looking forward to it. Um." He looked at the ground. "Are you going... to the picnic today?"
"I was going to hang out with Anthony and Padma," she said. "I thought it would be crowded enough without me. But if you want me to be there, I'll either cancel my plans or get them to come too, if that's okay."
"Well, unless they have a problem with Cho, I don't mind. Considering that Cho asked me to invite the Quidditch team and most of the Gryffs, it'll probably be a fairly large event anyway."
Hermione nodded. "Fair point. Alright then, I'll be there, Harriet." Then she smiled. "Wow, it feels good to help you for once. Now I understand why you like helping people all the time."
"Right, because this is just like going into the Chamber of Secrets," said Harry with a bit of a snarky tone. "Thanks though," he added more sincerely. "See you at lunch then."
When Harry arrived at the picnic on Sunday, Cho immediately waved at him and Parvati to sit by them.
They idly chatted for a while as more people showed up, some people actually eating, but most spreading out on conjured blankets and talking loudly. The actual turnout for the picnic was quite substantive, as Harry had predicted.
All of the Gryffindors that were friends with Harry were there, along with the full Quidditch team. On the Ravenclaw side, Padma and Anthony were there of course, sitting off with Hermione, but there was a girl of around Cho's age named Marietta that came and sat with her, and Luna Lovegood poking at the ground as she sat next to an extremely nervous looking Ginny Weasley. Ernie Macmillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and Hannah Abbott were clustered around Cedric and Cho.
Susan Bones was the only other Hufflepuff, although she was mainly spending her time staring at Cedric and laughing at his comments, whether they were jokes or not. Eventually Cedric complimented Susan's willingness to befriend people outside their house, and Parvati and Susan decided to go talk to Lavender. Then Cho whispered something to Marietta, who frowned but got up to walk over to the Gryffindor Chasers, some of whom were in her year.
Harry sighed and looked around.
"Something on your mind, Potter?" Cedric asked with a smile. "You seem a touch distracted."
"Too many people, is it?" Cho asked with a knowing look. "I was thinking the same thing."
"Really?" Harry asked in surprise. He had thought Cho preferred the mass of friendly faces around her.
"Cho is quite popular," said Cedric and Cho scowled at him. "Don't pretend otherwise, pet." He laughed. "But she really only has a few close friends. That Edgecombe girl, for example. And me, I suppose."
"Cedric is being difficult," said Cho with a roll of her eyes. "But he's not wrong. And I feel like it's pretty similar with you, right? That's why I felt such a connection to you."
Harry suddenly felt extremely nervous. "Um, I don't... I'm not popular."
Cedric and Cho both made scoffing noises.
"You can lie to us, Harriet," said Cho. "And yourself too for that matter. But we both know very well how many people like you."
"Not everyone does," said Harry in a mutter, thinking of Cho's fellow Ravenclaw Mandy and her awful behaviour.
"But the point is," said Cedric as he leaned back onto his hands. "And Cho, correct me if I'm wrong, as you are wont to do." He smirked at her and she snorted a bit in amusement. "You, Harriet, also really only have a few close friends, plus you're both mad Quidditch fans and keen players. That's what Cho means."
"Oh." Harry paused and thought about it. "I guess that's not an entirely terrible comparison."
Cho and Cedric laughed, and then she elbowed the Hufflepuff boy.
"You see, Ced? I think this could really work."
"Mayhaps, my dear, mayhaps," said Cedric with a big smile, as he made a show of looking Harry up and down. "Harriet, have you any idea what we're on about?"
"No," said Harry with a laugh. "Winding me up?"
"Maybe a bit," said Cho with a teasing tone. "But we had an idea for a bit of intrahouse cooperation. You're a Seeker, I'm a Seeker-"
"Untested," interrupted Cedric and Cho punched him in the shoulder whilst still maintaining her impeccable smile. "Ow! You don't know your own strength, girl."
"And Cedric is, technically speaking, also a Seeker," Cho finished with a giggle. "I think we three have a bit in common, and I think it might be nice to hang out, without worrying about exams or homework. Or even beating each other in Quidditch."
"I mean, I don't..." Harry stopped talking and thought about it a bit. "So what, some sort of... 'Seeker's Club'?"
Cho raised her eyebrows and Cedric chuckled.
"Naming it already?" he said. "So you're in?"
"Well, would we have to invite the Slytherin Seeker too?" Harry asked in a teasing tone.
The other two made annoyed faces.
"We'd rather not," said Cho with a frown, which weirdly seemed to make her look better. "I mean, if you think we have to..."
Cedric snorted. "She's having us on, pet. Ain't you, Harriet?"
"I am," said Harry with a laugh. "I don't need any more time with Malfoy than I strictly have to. Which is too much already."
Cho beamed at him. "Brilliant! So we'll just reserve a time in the pitch when no one else is using it, except we won't necessarily just fly." Then she shrugged. "Although that could be fun too."
"You are coming, right Harriet?" Cedric asked. "You can always change your mind later, or even if you just get tired of our faces."
"How could you get tired of our faces, Harriet?" Cho asked with an exaggerated pout and she pointed at her face. "See this frown? It's because I'm not sure you're coming to the world famous Hogwarts Seeker's Club, which was famously named by Harriet Potter herself. You don't want to let down Harriet Potter, do you Harriet?"
Harry couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, you win. I'll come to your - I mean my club."
Cho smiled widely at him and nodded. Then she looked over Harry's shoulder and made a sort of gesture. "Well, it's getting a bit late for me, Harriet. Mari and I have to get back to our homework."
"And I have prefect duties," said Cedric with a sigh. "Bloody irritating." He held out a hand to Harry. "Harriet, a pleasure."
Harry grinned and shook his hand. Marietta walked over to Cho, and that seemed to be the trigger for everyone starting to clean up and head back to Hogwarts.
Parvati had an odd look on her face as she re-joined Harry.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"Apparently Padma flew one of the hippogriffs," she said. "Apparently she's the star pupil of Hagrid's class."
"I mean... are we really surprised by that?"
Parvati frowned. "I suppose not, but I think she was teasing me about it. Either that or just boasting, sometimes it's hard to tell with her. Apparently she was the only one in the Ravenclaw/Hufflepuff group that flew at all, and apparently only our year handled hippogriffs, which makes her the only one in the school that flew!"
With great difficulty, Harry stopped himself from saying 'apparently' in response to the rant. "If you're really that sore about it, we can ask Hagrid," he said. "I'm sure he'd be more than happy to let you try."
"I don't really want to," Parvati admitted softly. "I know I'm an awful Gryffindor for it, but I was terrified to try. I don't even like flying brooms, to be honest."
"Huh. I guess I haven't seen you much on a broom, now that I think on it." Harry tapped his chin in thought and then he grinned at her. "I can ask Hagrid if I can fly us both instead. I bet he'd be okay with it too."
Parvati poked him hard in the shoulder. "That's enough out of you, Harriet." And she tilted her head up and pretended that he wasn't there.
Still a bit amused, Harry decided to wait on his news of the "Seeker's Club". Parvati didn't seem to like Cho much, so it ought to wait until she was in a better mood, whenever that was.
As they walked into the Great Hall, Hermione intercepted them and gave Harry a significant look.
"Harry, I'm sure you hadn't forgotten about it," she said and suddenly Harry felt a cold, sinking sensation. "But it's time for our 'family planning' meeting." She had a suddenly pained expression on her face. "Are you alright?"
Parvati made a sort of amused snort. "You two are ridiculous. This is going to be a laugh, won't it?"
But all Harry could feel was dread.
They all walked away from the overflow room near the Hospital Wing, most of the girls chattering and discussing in sotto voce what they had heard and even practicing some of the Charm incantations. Parvati and Lavender were joking about something, but then Hermione walked up close to Harry.
"Harriet, is everything alright?" She asked in a low whisper. "You look as pale as a ghost."
"Give me a minute," said Harry in a choked voice. "Or an hour. Or a year."
Hermione smiled slightly but then she frowned. "Harriet, if you need to talk, please let me know. I am aware we haven't been quite as close as we were as first years, but I'm always here for you."
Harry took a deep breath and nodded. "I know, Hermione," he said, trying to calm his voice. "And I appreciate it. I'll let you know."
Parvati looked around to see him and stuck out her tongue. Harry couldn't help but chuckle at the immaturity, and felt a bit more level headed.
"Hermione, did Padma really ride a hippogriff?" He asked a bit loudly, just enough so that Parvati could hear him. Parvati immediately glared theatrically at him.
"Um, yes, Harriet," said Hermione with a giggle as she looked at Parvati's face. "Although I didn't see it either." She shook her head. "You certainly won't see me on a winged creature anytime soon, no matter what Padma or Hagrid say."
"Well said, Hermione!" Parvati said loudly and some of the other girls gave her odd looks.
Mandy Brocklehurst glared at Parvati, then looked over at Harry and gave him a truly furious gaze. Then she pulled at Lisa Turpin's hand and started to run away with her down the hall.
Hermione sighed and shook her head. "I wish you all could reconcile."
Harry gave Hermione a bewildered look. "What, are you friends with her now too?"
"Of course not, Harriet," Hermione said with a pained tone. "But I don't like to see you fighting with anyone. Anger like that doesn't help anyone, you're the one I learned that from."
"Somebody should tell her that," grumbled Harry, but he didn't push her anymore on it.
It took a few days for Harry's mind to finally settle, and thankfully he felt mostly himself again
They piled into their Potions class with the Slytherins, with both Draco and Pansy giving scathing looks to all of the Gryffindors as they passed them by. Crabbe and Goyle seemed to be in a more docile state, setting up right behind Malfoy and watching his every move.
"Alright, that's enough, all of you settle down," said Professor Snape with an irritated voice. More irritated than normal, especially considering how early it was in the year. "I said settle down!" This was said loudly and sharply enough that everyone immediately quieted.
He looked at the class, which was split, as usual, into Gryffindors and Slytherins paired with members of their own House, and he frowned like he had bitten into something surprisingly vile.
"This is ridiculous," he said with a simmering anger. "The Gryffindors have had it far too easy so far. Perhaps it is time you learned something from the Slytherins, although I doubt it will ultimately have much of an effect. For this year, you will be paired with someone from the other House."
This led to an immediate reaction of horror from everyone in the room as the students all looked at each other. "Professor," said Malfoy in horror. "You can't just expect us to-"
Snape held up a hand. "Of course," he then said with a slightly oily smile. "It would not be fair to pair the worse students with the better ones. So I shall pair you off as such. You, Mister Malfoy, will pair with Miss Granger."
Draco scowled but gave Hermione a thoughtful look. It was well known that they were the best in the class, so it was hardly the worst punishment despite how little they two cared for each other.
"Miss Potter, you will sit up front with Miss Greengrass. Miss Patil, you will be paired with Mister Zabini." And so it went, all the way down to Neville being paired with Crabbe, who was only slightly worse at Potions than Goyle, but far worse than Neville, who by this point really was only the worst of the Gryffindors.
"Chin up," Ron whispered as he passed Harry to sit with an absolutely livid Pansy Parkinson. "It obviously could be worse, look at me or Nev."
Snape assigned them a new potion, a Shrinking Solution, and put them to work.
After they worked for a while, Daphne said softly, "You're actually not bad, Potter. I thought maybe Professor Snape was just making it easy on you since he favours you for some odd reason."
"He balances it out by disfavouring the rest," said Harry with a small grin. "Utterly fair, is our Professor Snape."
Daphne suppressed a laugh and then she shrugged. "Right you are. I wouldn't be surprised if Professor Snape switches up the pairings next week just to keep us on our toes."
Snape looked over at them from his desk, but it wasn't clear if he had heard them. "Class, keep your words to an absolute necessity only," he said. "That means you, Weasley!"
Daphne gave Harry a look as if to say "See?" but Harry just shook his head. As friendly as she was seeming, he hadn't forgotten Susan's warning from the last year. Perhaps Susan had been mistaken, but perhaps not. Until he could be sure, Harry planned to be overly cautious around all of the Slytherin girls.
They ended up with a close to perfect result, only exceeded by Draco and Hermione's potion, which they had somehow managed despite everyone hearing their constant arguments about minor details.
Snape walked through the room, desk by desk. "Weasley, Parkinson, barely acceptable. Five points to Slytherin for salvaging a disaster from an incompetent partner." Ron scowled furiously while Pansy preened at Snape.
"Malfoy, Granger. I see you correctly took Malfoy's advice, Miss Granger, five points to Slytherin for the proper approach." Hermione winced but didn't say anything - Harry knew how much that sort of unfairness irked her. "Longbottom, I see you ruined Crabbe's potion with your incompetence. I'd suspect sabotage if you had the mental capacity for it. Either way, this sort of terrible influence will cost Gryffindor five points."
Neville nodded, his face pale, but he didn't say anything otherwise. This seemed to make Snape angrier, and he gave far worse remarks to everyone else, even the Slytherins, until finally he got Harry and Daphne's desk.
"Hmm. Acceptable. I see you followed my instructions, unlike the rest of the class. See that you don't fail to do so in the future." He whirled to face the rest of the class. "Clean up, now! Then you are all dismissed."
And then he leaned closer to Harry and said, "See me after class. Miss Patil can wait outside." Harry nodded, as it was obvious that everyone knew that Parvati would be waiting for him.
Most of the class was still in a foul mood after Snape's insults, but as Ron walked by their table, Daphne said, "I think you probably salvaged poor Pansy's efforts, Weasley, not the other way around." And then she giggled softly.
Ron gave her a surprised look and then chuckled. "Well spotted, Greengrass. Next time maybe tell Snape that."
Daphne raised an eyebrow and Ron snorted in amusement. "Right, fair enough."
After everyone had left and Parvati, indeed, waited outside for him, Harry sat back down at his seat.
"Do you know what this is about?" Professor Snape asked.
"I don't... unless it's about Black. Oh." He then recalled something from the summer. "Or is it about Professor Lupin? Um, he did mention to me about what happened to you when you were all students here."
Snape scowled. "He disclosed that to me as well, that you now know the awful story. Well, I suppose now you understand better my distaste for and concern about Black?"
Harry nodded. "He was the one that almost got you killed. But Lupin didn't really have control though."
"Technically speaking, that may be so," said Snape, although this sounded strained. "But it was the height of irresponsibility to allow a werewolf near the school. Even now, it is hard to fathom why the Headmaster allowed it. Or allowed him to return again."
Snape rubbed his temples and seemed to be holding back a sigh. "It is unsafe for you to spend any time outside a classroom with him. Certainly if it is anything near a full moon, you must not, under any circumstances, be anywhere outside your dormitory. I do not entirely trust his judgement, beside that."
"What about that potion? Remus - ah, I mean, Professor Lupin mentioned something about a Wolfsbane potion?"
Snape gave Harry a sort of curious look. "Did he? Well, Lupin was likely speaking optimistically, trying to paint himself in the best light. But although I do not believe Lupin would intentionally wish to cause harm to any student, let alone you, all it takes is one mistake. Then, despite him not meaning to, he could cause great harm."
"But does the potion work?"
"Well, yes," said Snape after a moment, looking uncomfortable. "A well-prepared Wolfsbane potion will indeed calm the bestial nature of a werewolf, which was a requirement from the Headmaster to allow Lupin to work here."
"A well-prepared Wolfsbane potion, eh?" Harry grinned. "Which means you're the one making it, so it obviously is."
"Obviously," Snape repeated with a small smirk.
"And also obviously, you won't be making even one mistake about it, correct?"
Snape actually had a somewhat proud smile at that. "You are again, quite correct."
"So the only really possible mistake is if Lupin doesn't get it on time, or he forgets, am I right? Because as you just said, it's not like he'd intentionally hurt any of us."
The Professor made a snorting sound. "And precisely what are you proposing, Miss Potter?"
"Since we can't trust Lupin completely not to make a mistake, and honestly, I've only known him since this summer and I've known you since first year, well... Well I suppose you'll have to be the only one to stay on him about the potion, won't you? I mean, who else can we trust to manage it?"
Snape sighed and shook his head, a sort of mild surprised look on his face. "Every year you remind me more of your mother. She always did try to see the best in people, even when they assuredly didn't deserve it." He nodded. "Very well, Miss Potter. I will once again protect the school nearly by myself."
Harry tried not to laugh, even though he was certain that had been a joke. "Anything else, sir? I've been very careful about keeping an eye out about Black."
"Good. Keep it that way. Dismissed."
Parvati immediately asked him what had happened, and Harry explained the entire conversation.
"Wow, Harriet," said Parvati in awe. "How do you keep Snape wrapped around your finger like that? Even Malfoy can't manage it."
Harry gave her a look. "You know why, Parvati. He was friends with my Mum. Whereas Malfoy's parents are still alive."
"Fair point," said Parvati with an annoyed sound. "Still, you're practically a Slytherin these days with all of your sneaky behaviour."
"No comment," said Harry with a grin.
Their first defence class ended up going unusually well. Professor Lupin had a warm, engaging presence, and their first lesson about Boggarts was both exciting and educational.
The only real items of note were some of the particular fears of people - Neville's was himself, looking thin and sickly like his parents, although thankfully, no one other than Harry and Parvati seemed to pick up on it. Ron's was a giant spider, Hermione's was hilariously McGonagall giving out a grade of Troll, and Parvati's was a mummy for some reason.
"That was awful," she whispered to Harry after using the Riddikulus charm successfully. "Don't think I ever told you about my terrible Egypt holiday when we were little." She shuddered. "That just brought it all back."
"Keep practicing," said Professor Lupin, and then he gestured to Harry to come over. "Harriet, are you alright with the attempt? Will it be You-Know-Who? That might be too much for the class."
"I'm not afraid of her," said Harry with as much bravado as he could muster. "I've beaten her twice, haven't I?"
"Twice? Well, you'll have to tell me that story later, you can go last then if you're sure?"
Harry nodded again and Lupin gestured again towards the Boggart.
When Harry approached the creature, it shifted suddenly again, to an unusual sight, to a creature with a dark cloak. There was a familiarity to it, a horrid memory that tugged at Harry's mind and the room seemed to fall silent around him. He saw the creature - his memory refused to explain what it was, only recalling feelings of dread and loss - begin to reach out to him, and he thought of raising a wand. But his limbs did not respond, and his breath quickened as the air began to chill, and there was an odd, vague feeling that someone was screaming in a muted way.
Immediately Lupin stood in front of him and the Boggart shifted again, this time to something that must've been the moon - perhaps because of the werewolf curse? "Riddikulus!" The moon suddenly broke into a million pieces. "Apologies, Harriet," Lupin said. "But I believe that was a bit too advanced for us now. Class, everyone, together, coordinate! Harriet, please wait this one out, I'll explain later."
One after another, although Harry stayed back, the class hit the Boggart with charm after charm, as it shifted chaotically, until it finally exploded. The class let out a cheer, and Ron began to chant "Gryffindor! Gryffindor!" until everyone else began to chant along.
"Alright, alright, that's enough," said Lupin, although he had a big smile on his face. "Everyone, take five points each for successfully banishing the Boggart. Well done. You may go, and for your homework, one foot on Boggarts for Monday's class. Harriet, a word?"
Harry walked but Parvati then joined him.
"Professor, this isn't some secret, right?" Parvati asked with an annoyed look. "I get enough of that from Snape."
Lupin chuckled. "No, you two are friends, right? I just wanted to explain what happened - did you recognize what the Boggart was becoming, Harriet?"
Harry almost said "no" right away but then he thought about it and realized he had seen that horrid thing before. "It was a Dementor," he said.
Parvati gasped. "It was!"
"Yes, and the Boggart can mimic some of the magical properties of a Dementor so I didn't want to expose the class to it unprepared. Thankfully only a true Dementor can actually perform a Kiss, but defending against that is quite a few levels more difficult than a Boggart."
"Well, what about the Patronus Charm?" Harry asked. "Is it finally okay to learn that?"
Lupin blinked, looking surprised. "You know about the Patronus Charm?"
"Snape told me to read a book about the idea behind last year, remember? But he said I was too young to try, and I needed supervision."
"Can you supervise, Professor?" Parvati asked with a smile and a wheedling tone.
Lupin blinked again and then chuckled. "You're right, you did mention it to me, I suppose I just didn't seriously consider it since I wasn't a professor yet. But I believe I said then it ought to be safe to learn, didn't I?"
"So you'll teach us, sir?" Parvati leaned forward eagerly. "Harriet would really appreciate it."
"Both of you?" Lupin raised an eyebrow. "Is that what you want, Harriet?"
Harry shrugged. "If we both know, isn't that safer?"
Lupin nodded. "A good point. Alright, let me talk to Professor McGonagall. She'll need to approve it, but I believe she will. Now then, I have another class soon, so have a wonderful evening ladies."
Parvati bowed a bit. "Thank you, Professor." And she pulled Harry out of the room.
"I like him," said Parvati later when they were walking to supper. "Maybe I can be his favourite student like you are with Snape."
"Knock yourself out," said Harry who found the idea very amusing. "Now that you're in a better mood, I had something to tell you."
Parvati gave him a curious look and Harry explained about the Seeker's Club.
"You're not cross about it, are you Parvati?"
Her face twitched and she fidgeted with her hands. "Well," she said finally. "I suppose it'd make me a horrid friend if I forbade it, wouldn't it?"
"Do you really not want me to go? If you really feel that strongly about it-"
"No!" Parvati interrupted him, holding up a hand. "Harriet, I don't know why I'm annoyed about Cho, I just find her whole act a bit suspicious. But maybe she really is just being friendly. And if she is, it would be mean for me to say you can't make more friends." And then she glared at him. "But I'm still your best friend, understood?"
"Understood," said Harry with a grin, feeling quite relieved about it on multiple levels. "You have nothing to worry about."
Cho and Cedric had managed to reserve the pitch jointly the next Saturday afternoon, and it was a brisk, but pleasant autumn day.
Cedric took in a huge breath and he looked very happy. "Ladies, feel that beautiful sunshine and that wondrous breeze? With Hogwarts at our backs and brooms in our hands, what a time to be alive, eh?"
"It's not awful," admitted Harry.
"So poetic, Ced," said Cho warmly. "Was there any trouble with Sprout or your team?"
"Not even a little," said Cedric with a big smile. "You know us 'Puffs. They all loved the idea of more cooperation and friendship between Houses, especially Sprout. She's quite a fan of our young Miss Potter here."
"I didn't know that," said Harry in surprise. "I mean, she's always nice, but she's nice to everyone."
"True, for the most part," said Cedric. "Nice to anyone that isn't awful, certainly. I don't think she cares much about whether you're a star Herbology student, but she does appreciate that you're friends with people from the reasonable Houses."
Harry chuckled at that, although he did wonder if there ever were any reasonable Slytherins.
"That's good," said Cho. "Our captain is almost as suspicious as Wood, Harriet," she then said with a laugh. "But I convinced Rog that Cedric is a clear-as-Lacewing 'Puff and that Harriet Potter made a solemn vow not to steal any of the ideas I won't say aloud."
"Wood actually asked me to tell you fake secrets," said Harry and he laughed too. "I don't know that I'm that creative, though."
"Anyone up for a bit of a race?" Cedric asked and held up his broom.
Cho's eyes narrowed. "I know I've only got a Comet, Ced, but you won't win this time. At the very least Harriet and her Nimbus will leave you hanging off your twigs."
"If only I had a Firebolt," said Harry wistfully as he quickly wiped down his broom. "Then I'd for sure win."
"Did you see the one on display on Diagon?" Cho asked as she climbed on her broom. "Merlin, but it was gorgeous."
"Almost as gorgeous as you," said Cedric with a wink, and he also floated up above the pitch.
"That won't throw me off my game, pretty boy," Cho yelled out. "Besides, Harriet's the best looking one here."
Harry's eyes widened and then he shook his head. Clearly Cho was just messing about, trying to throw him off his game too.
"Sounds like a trap, pet," Cedric shouted back. "And I shan't be falling for it. Harriet, you coming?"
Harry grinned and he rocketed into the air, then stabilized perfectly at exactly Cedric and Cho's level.
"Bloody show-off!" Cho yelled, although she was clearly smiling.
It wasn't until supper that they finally headed back to Hogwarts, having taken breaks between flying to chat about inconsequential things. In the Great Hall, Cho hugged Harry and said, "I hope you had fun, Harriet. I know Ced and I did."
"It's actually 'Ced and me'," said Cedric with a serious tone.
"No, it isn't!" Cho snapped at him. "Sorry, he loves teasing me about how I correct his grammar all the time. Anyway, enjoy your supper, Harriet, and we'll see you at our next HP Seeker's Club."
"It's an inspired name," mused Cedric. "Glad the Founders came up with it."
Harry laughed. "Alright, you two, I'm sure you're as hungry as I am, so I'll talk to you later."
Still grinning, Harry joined his friends at the Gryffindor table, but while most everyone continued to chat and gossip as usual, Parvati was unusually quiet. Harry wanted to ask her if she was alright, but it was far too crowded to try.
Finally as they walked back to the Common Room, Harry pulled Parvati over to the side and out of anyone else's earshot. "Parvati, are you okay? Are you angry with me?"
Parvati shook her head and didn't meet his eyes.
"Parvati, come on, what's wrong?"
Parvati's eyes flickered up but she still wasn't looking directly at him. "Harriet, will you be honest with me?"
"Of course, Parvati," said Harry in alarm. "I'm always honest with you." Which was nearly completely true.
Parvati then looked at the floor and asked softly, "Do you think she's prettier than me?"
"What?" Harry asked in a near shout, so surprised by the question. Was that all she was worried about? Then again, after all that talk from Ron and Lavender about how "fit" Cho was, maybe Parvati was feeling self-conscious about not being considered the most "fit" anymore of their circle of friends? Harry still wasn't quite sure what she was on about, but the correct answer to her question felt pretty obvious.
"You're the prettiest girl in Hogwarts," he said with a grin, feeling certain that this was what she wanted to hear.
Parvati looked up at that and smiled. Then she asked, somewhat in a teasing way, "Even more than Padma? We're identical, you know."
"Not completely," said Harry. "At least I enjoy talking to you."
Parvati gave him a sunny look. Clearly he had handled that the exact right way.
A few days later, Neville asked to speak to Harry in the Common Room after supper.
"Another secret, Neville?" Parvati asked with a frown. "You know she'll tell me."
"If she does, that's her business," said Neville, who did seem a bit nervous at her vehemence.
Parvati narrowed her eyes. "Keep care of yourself, Longbottom." But then she gave them a bit of privacy.
"What's this about?" Harry asked.
"Two things, actually," said Neville softly. "One I'm fine with you telling Parvati. The other I'd rather you didn't."
"Oh. Well, I can't promise necessarily, but I'll try."
Neville nodded and took a deep breath. "I know you're friends with Susan Bones. Can you ask her something for me?"
Harry's mind jumped to several places and he winced. "You don't want to ask her out or anything, do you?"
"What? Oh, no, not her," said Neville and then his face reddened. "Hannah."
"Hannah. Oh, I see, she's Susan's friend, that's true." Harry frowned. "Why can't you ask yourself?"
"I'm too nervous," said Neville with an even quieter voice. "If she said no to my face, I don't think I could handle it. But if you told me about it second-hand, I think I'd be okay. Although I hope she says yes."
Harry rolled his eyes but nodded. "Fine, Neville, I'll talk to Susan. Was that what you wanted to keep secret?"
Neville nodded. "The other thing you should probably only tell Parvati, for sure. Because it's about something from the summer."
"The summer?" Harry blinked in surprise. "What's going on, Neville?"
"It's Lockhart," said Neville. "He told me he remembers you." He frowned. "And he wants to see you."
End of Chapter Twenty-Four
Next Time, a very heated exchange and the Map is finally used.
"Yes, Ron, what is it?" Harry asked, far too tired to pretend to be polite.
"Harriet, can you tell me if... I mean..." Ron took a deep breath and said, "Does Susan fancy me?"
