Chapter 13

Tuesday, 31 December 1996

Potter House, Pottershire

Violent Confrontation Rocks Richmond

By Michael Pitt

Holmesdale Road in the London borough of Richmond was the scene of violence yesterday evening, leaving seven dead following police response. At approximately 6pm, four unknown assailants attacked and entered the home of Daniel and Emma Granger, both dentists. A neighbour, Gerald Carpenter, 61, was walking his dog and had noticed the Grangers arriving home from work immediately prior. He was still on the street when he heard a loud explosion.

"I saw the smoke over Number 2, and walked a bit closer," Mr. Carpenter said. "It was unbelievable. I saw some red and green laser beams shooting around, like from Star Wars. I know it was impossible, but that's what I saw."

Disturbed, Carpenter hurried home and phoned police. A patrol car arrived a few minutes later. Within seconds of arriving Constable Timothy Pierce, 23 of Islington, was murdered. Sergeant William Abernathy, 37, took cover and called for backup. Two more cars arrived soon thereafter, but the news of a dead patrolman triggered the response of SO19, the Force Firearms Unit, who arrived at 6:45pm. Their arrival was not fast enough to prevent the death of Constable Aaron Rogers, 26 of Hammersmith, who was murdered by a green laser beam.

The Force Firearms Unit deployed around the Granger residence, to prevent the escape of the assailants. Near 7pm, the four assailants exited the residence through the front door. The three men were wearing white masks, whilst the one woman was not. They immediately began shooting laser beams at police, who returned fire, killing all four. Sergeant Mark Fields, 34 of Enfield, was killed in the exchange.

The four assailants were unable to be identified. They were white, reportedly spoke English and some unidentified language, and ranged in age from early twenties to mid-forties. They appeared to wear academic robes, and were carrying sticks. No weapons were recovered by police. Police are speculating that the group were role-play enthusiasts enamoured of the Star Wars films, whose Jedi knights dress similarly, though no connection could seemingly be made between the films and the attack.

The Grangers were not found inside the house, and as of press time are still missing. The house was heavily damaged in the attack, however, and police are still searching.

"Fuck," Harry swore as he dropped the Times on the breakfast table. "I wonder if Hermione knows about this."

"A tenner says that the woman was Bellatrix," Katie said as she quickly perused the article.

"No bet," Harry said. "She's the only one of them who doesn't wear a mask." He jammed a last piece of toast in his mouth and pushed back from the table. "'r' 'u c'mm'ng?" he asked around the food in his mouth as he stood, grabbing the paper back. Katie followed with a feigned exasperated sigh and eyeroll. Dudley took one last look at his plate and hurried after them. A minute later, the three of them were stepping into the entry hall of Endless Hearth. They followed the sound of conversation to the Longbottoms' dining room.

"Excuse the intrusion," Harry said as he pushed the door open to reveal Neville, Hermione, and Augusta seated at the far end of the long table. "But this couldn't wait."

"It's no problem," Neville said. "Good morning."

"Morning, Nev, Augusta," Harry said politely. "Hermione, have you seen today's Times?" He knew the answer to that. She didn't take the Times, and was content to read his copy. The paper flopped down next to her, the headline and photograph screaming the story. Without reply, she snatched the paper up and began pouring over it.

"It looks like the anti-apparition and anti-portkey wards worked, then," Hermione said, standing. "Excuse me," she said to Augusta. "I need to make sure my parents are alright." With that, she was gone.

-oooo-

Harry, Katie, and Dudley were still at Endless Hearth, chatting amiably with Augusta and Neville when Hermione returned two hours later. She looked as though she'd run a marathon.

"Is everything alright?" Neville asked, rushing over to her when she entered. He guided her to the seat next to him. "Your parents?"

"My parents are fine," Hermione informed him as she sat. The tension in the room, which had spiked, dissipated. "They didn't even know anything was amiss. After they got to their home in Richmond after work, they immediately entered my trunk and went to their Middleborough house. They were just getting ready to leave. I had them go through Sirius' trunk, as it would've looked a little odd for them to just come out of a trunk in the middle of a police investigation."

"That would be unusual," Katie agreed with a smile.

"So, we concocted a story that we were visiting friends, and had taken the train," Hermione explained. "I apparated them near to home, and we walked up. We were immediately interviewed. The house was a mess, and there were police everywhere. It was actually quite annoying, as it made it harder to deduce what had actually happened."

"What did happen?" Neville asked.

"Bellatrix Lestrange… Black… whatever, and three lower-level Death Eaters attacked the house," Hermione said. "They showed us photos of the four of them. I didn't recognize anyone else. Of course, I didn't tell them who Bellatrix was, as I couldn't explain how I knew her. Anyway, they attacked the house, blasted in the doors front and back, and a couple of windows. It looked like blasting curses. When they didn't immediately see my parents, they tossed the house, looking everywhere. That's how the Met had time to get there."

"The Met?" Neville wondered, confused.

"The Metropolitan Police," Hermione explained. "They're responsible for policing London. So, after the first constable was killed, they called up reinforcements, including the Force Firearms Unit, and camped out outside. They killed another constable before the armed police showed up."

"Why didn't they leave?" Harry wondered.

"I had the house warded by Gringotts," Hermione answered. "I couldn't get Dark Mark wards the same way as you, Gringotts doesn't carry them. But I did manage to get wards that were tripped by magicals."

"But you're magical," Dudley blurted.

"I don't really go to that house anymore," Hermione shrugged. "Plus, I'm the one in charge of the wards, so I can activate and deactivate them, and they're designed so I don't trip them."

"What do they do?" Katie asked.

"Any magical crosses the wardline and an anti-apparition and anti-portkey ward activates," Hermione described. "There's also a ward that works like a mild confundus charm."

"So, they were confused and couldn't leave magically?" Harry clarified. She nodded. "That explains things."

"Why weren't the wards already up?" Neville asked.

"If the Death Eaters had bothered to check for wards, all they'd find was an identification ward that didn't seem to be linked to anything," Hermione explained. "Not much point in wasting the effort to take that down, especially since it didn't identify them specifically, hinder them, or reveal their presence to anyone. By triggering once they cross the wardline, it would trap them in place. I knew if they attacked, my parents could get out through the trunk, but they wouldn't be able to."

"And the confundus meant they would act slower and confused," Harry added, understanding. "Giving your parents time to get away if they were in danger."

"Exactly," Hermione agreed. "It worked, too. Though, not as I'd intended. It made them think that attacking the police outside the house was a good idea, instead of fleeing."

"Are you sure they didn't just decide that taking out some random muggles would be just as effective as killing your parents?" Harry asked.

"I'm sure that played into it too," Hermione admitted. "Come to think of it, I'm not sure if any of them knew what guns were, and that the police outside were carrying them. I mean, they killed the first two policemen who didn't have guns, and suddenly more showed up. They probably thought they were unarmed as well."

"Big mistake," Harry laughed.

"I can't believe Bellatrix Lestrange is dead," Neville said. "If mum and dad could understand…"

"They'd be very happy," Augusta said, patting Neville comfortingly on the back. She looked at Hermione. "Thank you for telling us, and your part in her demise. It means quite a bit to us." Hermione merely smiled and nodded.

"So, the house is a wreck?" Harry asked, after a brief lull.

"It's dreadful," Hermione admitted. "I had my parents take the trunk to their office, and they're planning to refurbish the house and lease it to make a bit of extra money."

"That's smart," Harry opined. "I don't think the Ministry has your parents' office address on file."

"They wouldn't," Augusta said. "Only the homes of muggleborns for the purposes of checking for underage magic."

"Sounds like that problem's sorted," Katie said. "We'd best get back. We've got to get ready for the Ministry New Year's Ball. I assume we'll see you there?"

"Yes," Neville agreed. "Gran's insisting I go."

"It won't be long before you're seventeen and sitting on the Wizengamot," she said stiffly. "You need to befriend these people, or at least some of them."

"He's got my vote," Harry said, standing. "Neville." He stuck out a hand, as though he hadn't shared a bed with him a few days before. The goodbyes were soon dispensed with, and the three from Potter House left.

-oooo-

The next Sunday, with an enjoyable New Year's Ball behind them, Harry and his friends turned their attentions back to school. Tonks, quite short with Harry for his part in revealing the great secret of Hufflepuff House, came to collect Dudley just after noon. Dudley had actually hugged Harry before he left, which shocked the younger boy. He also hugged Katie before agreeing to be led away by the pink-haired Auror.

Throughout the afternoon, Harry's friends had returned to residence, and by dinnertime, the house was bustling with life again. Harry and Katie followed many of the other residents of Potter House out the trunk into Harry's dorm. The start and end of term feasts were some of the few times, aside from important holidays, that Harry felt compelled to stick to tradition and eat at school.

The first clue that something was amiss was when they entered the Entrance Hall. Whilst three of the four hourglasses had varying levels of brilliantly coloured glass beads decorating the bottom half of the glass, one was conspicuous for its lack. The Hufflepuff hourglass lacked even a single yellow bead in its bottom.

"Sweet Merlin's underpants!" Ginny gasped, seeing it. Harry, too, was astounded. The bottom glass had been nearly half full before the end of last term.

"I can only imagine what'll happen when we go in there," Katie said, gesturing to the Great Hall. Harry shrugged and pushed the door open. The tables were mostly full, and no one did more than glance up at them when the four of them entered. Harry noticed that the Hufflepuffs looked quite morose, with several of the sixth years looking more upset than the rest.

"I wonder what happened to them," Harry commented as they went to the Gryffindor table.

"You mean besides losing every point they'd gained this year?" Katie noted.

"Yeah," Harry nodded as they sat. "Besides that."

"I think we're about to find out," Katie offered, pointing to McGonagall who was striding into the room with several other professors.

"Hey, it's Remus," Harry pointed out. Moony was walking next to Sirius, and they were deep in conversation.

"I wonder which of them's gonna be the transfiguration professor," Katie said. Harry shrugged.

Several minutes later, McGonagall stood and cleared her throat. The student conversations, which had already been muted ceased.

"Welcome back, everyone," the old Scottish witch began. "As you no doubt recall, I was made Headmistress before end of term last year. Professor Dumbledore has concluded his business and turned everything over to me. As such, it falls to me to make a few pressing announcements. First, there are some staffing changes you should all be aware of. Some of you will remember Professor Remus Lupin, formerly a Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor. He has returned to take my place as Transfiguration professor. Professor Lupin received some of the highest marks in Transfiguration amongst his peers, and is well qualified, holding Outstandings in both his OWL and NEWT in the subject. Please welcome Professor Lupin back." There was scattered applause.

"Second," McGonagall continued, "you will notice the absence of Professor Sprout on the dais." Harry was surprised, he hadn't noticed her missing, and he really should've done. "Professor Sprout has tendered her resignation as head of Hufflepuff House, and will be retiring from teaching at the end of the year. While she will continue to teach Herbology until that time, the new head of Hufflepuff House is Professor Babbling, who was herself a Hufflepuff when she attended here." There was polite applause from the rest of the school. The Hufflepuffs sat mostly in silence, still reeling from some sort of shock.

"This brings me to my third and final announcement of the evening," McGonagall said, looking squarely at the Hufflepuffs. "It has come to my attention that, for years, perhaps decades, there has been a culture of impropriety in Hufflepuff House. They have, with the knowledge and either tacet consent or explicit encouragement of the head of house, house prefects, and others with leadership positions from Hufflepuff, engaged in lewd and wanton acts of carnality in boys' dormitories and common areas with any number of partners, with little regard to age. This intelligence has been confirmed by a number of interviews of Hufflepuffs, past and present. This widespread abuse of morals and lack of decency, failure to protect younger students from exposure to such acts, and complete disregard for the consideration of others both inside and outside their house, has led me to act harshly.

"Therefore," McGonagall concluded, "I have taken the following measures: I have warded the stairs to the boys' dormitories in Hufflepuff against passage by girls, I have denied them privacy by removing the entry door to Hufflepuff House; I have stripped every Hufflepuff prefect of their status; I have removed the Hufflepuff Quidditch Captain; and I have docked Hufflepuff House every point it has earned so far this year, and will do so again right before the leaving feast this year. Professor Babbling has been instructed by me to perform random inspections of Hufflepuff House. The Head Boy, Head Girl, and other prefects have likewise been instructed to patrol the Hufflepuff areas frequently. I myself will be stopping by without warning and at varying times. Further instances of sexual harassment, public sex, sexual assault, and rape, regardless of house, will be dealt with harshly. If I find out that anyone has been sexually assaulted or raped, I will call the Aurors and, if found guilty, the offender will be expelled, full stop. Any students discovered engaged in other lewd acts at this school will be suspended for a first offense, and expelled for a subsequent offense. Am I clear?" She had worked herself into a fury. Her voice was cold and harsh. The last three words cracked like ice across the silent hall. The entire student body nodded quickly, signalling assent. "Good." Her icy façade fell away. "Then, let the feast begin."

"Bloody hell," Ron said from his seat a few spots away, distracted enough by what had just been revealed that he didn't immediately grab for the food.

"I can't believe they lost the door to their common room," Katie practically laughed.

"Doesn't stop them from going to the Necropolis or Middleshire and doing it there," Harry pointed out as he ladled beef stew onto his plate.

"I dunno," Katie said, sceptically. "Amelia wasn't well please when she heard. As long as Susan's underage, I think she might control who can access the Necropolis, and those who aren't on the list for Middleshire can't get there."

"When's Susan's birthday?" Harry wondered.

"26 February," Ron answered.

"So, Madam Bones can keep them out for about two months," Harry calculated.

"Boys'll be out longer than that, unless they've also access to Middleshire," Katie pointed out. "They can't get to the girls' dorm where her trunk is, and her other access trunks are at the exchange and Bones Manor. Sounds like she can shag her boyfriend, and that's it."

The rest of dinner passed with the conversation shifting to other topics. Neville and Hermione's relationship became public, and that occupied much of the remaining time. Harry thought it particularly funny when Ron asked them how they got together. Both of them flushed and became flustered, unable to respond.

After dinner, Harry and Katie, in company with Dean, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, and Neville returned to Gryffindor tower. As they were mounting the stairs to the boys' dorm a call stopped them.

"I need to talk to you," Parvati shouted from the portrait hole. She sounded as though she'd run the whole distance from the Great Hall.

"Who?" Neville asked, curious a the out of breath girl.

"Well… all of you, I suppose," Parvati reasoned. Harry looked at Katie, shrugged, and led her over to the sofas in the common room. The rest of them likewise sat.

"What can we do for you?" Harry asked her, as she seemed unsure with so many people around.

"I need to tell you all something," Parvati said. "It's about Lavender."

"What about Lavender?" Ron asked sharply.

"She knew," Parvati revealed. "She knew about what was going on in Hufflepuff since fourth year."

"Why didn't she say anything!" Ron squawked.

"She couldn't," Parvati told him. "She ran across some Hufflepuffs talking about it, but they found out she'd overheard before she could leave. They forced her to make a magical vow not to say anything to anyone who didn't already know."

"How do you know?" Ron sniped.

"She literally just told me at dinner after McGonagall let out the secret," Parvati said. "She wanted to tell you so bad last year. It's why she shagged you! She wanted you to break up with Susan because she knew she was cheating on you and she couldn't stand it!"

"So, she made me cheat on Susan?" Ron scoffed.

"She likes you!" Parvati huffed. "She knew it'd hurt you, but she figured better you're hurt sooner, rather than later. You're over it now, right?"

"Yeah," Ron snorted. "Especially after November."

"What happened in November?" Parvati asked, confused. "You mean when Vicki broke up with you?" Harry wasn't surprised that Parvati knew about that. All of Gryffindor knew about that. The why was a little more closely held.

"Neville caught Susan and Justin shagging right before the Gryffindor-Slytherin quidditch match," Katie revealed. "Then he overheard Hannah and Susan talking about all the boys they'd shagged in Hufflepuff."

"You knew!?" Parvati gasped, looking around. Everyone nodded. "That's why you and Hannah broke up!" Parvati realised, looking at Neville, who nodded solemnly. Parvati had the good grace to look embarrassed. Then, she looked around at the rest of them, before settling back on Ron. "I… I just wanted you to know about Lavender. She's really sorry. She knows she hurt you, but she was stuck and couldn't figure out what else she could do. She tried to hurt you the least she could. Just know, she… she cares about you, alright?"

"OK," Ron nodded. "Thanks."

"And, can you do me a favour?" Parvati asked earnestly. "Can… can you stop treating her like a leper? She really doesn't deserve it."

-oooo-

"Harry! Wait up!" a voice called the next morning after breakfast. Harry was on his way up to his room to change for class, but he stopped and turned to see Lee Jordan jogging over to him with a smile on his face. Lee had gotten a job with the Wizarding Wireless covering quidditch. Harry thought it a good fit for the boy.

"What's up?" Harry asked once Lee had stopped in front of him.

"I heard that Neville and Hermione are together now," Lee said, dancing around what he clearly wanted to say.

"Yeah," Harry nodded, smiling at Lee's hesitance. Harry had a pretty good idea of what Lee really wanted to ask, but wouldn't push the boy. "They're a good fit."

"So, I guess that means they're not sleeping with you and Katie anymore?" Lee asked.

"We haven't really talked about it, but I'd imagine not," Harry told him.

"Good," Lee said, then stopped, looked flustered, and said, "I mean, well, Leanne and Katie have talked about… you know, erm… sharing… in the past, and I was wondering if – wow, this was never this awkward with the twins – if maybe you were ready to, you know, share?" He fidgeted with his hands and varied his gaze rapidly between Harry's face and the ground.

"Why're you so nervous?" Harry asked. "It's just me. You're not secretly in love with Katie, are you?" He smiled to show he didn't think that was the case, but Lee was staring at the ground and didn't see.

"No!" Lee blurted, looking up, relaxing when he saw the smile. "No, it's just that Katie and Leanne are really good friends and, well, I think they want to, you know, do it together."

"You mean like lesbians?" Harry asked, confused.

"I don't know," Lee admitted. "I mean, sometimes it seems like they just want to do it in the same place at the same time, and sometimes I think they mean to do it together like… you know, girls only."

"I'd watch," Harry admitted, "but I'll not be doing you if they're busy with each other." He laughed at the face Lee made.

"So, you'll share then?" Lee asked, quickly recovering.

"Yeah," Harry nodded. "I'll talk to Katie and she and Leanne decide when and where."

"Cool," Lee smiled. "Thanks, mate."

-oooo-

The rest of the week had passed in relative monotony. Remus, Harry found, was just as good at Transfiguration as he'd been at Defence, and almost as good as McGonagall. He couldn't be an animagus, but he understood the concepts all the same. Professor Sprout had been far from her usual bubbly self since the start of term. Her hair hung limp, and Harry hadn't seen her smile once. It made sense, though. Harry didn't think her retirement was voluntary.

Saturday, 11 January, was a busy day for Harry, so he was up early. First on the docket, Healer Droop. She'd continued their sessions over the holiday, and met Dudley. It had very much helped her understand Harry's background, as he readily admitted what he'd done and why. Harry had forgiven Dudley and begun the healing process, which made Healer Droop happy. The older woman had also run into Albus Dumbledore in Middleshire over the holiday, after she'd been granted visitor's status at Harry's request. He, and his machinations, were to be the focus of their discussions going forward.

Harry's therapy session wrapped up at nine, to allow him to go to the first Wizengamot session of 1997. Healer Droop invited herself along, and sat in the gallery to watch. The Chief Warlock gavelled the session to order and began old business. The first to be recognized was Amelia.

"Auror efforts against the Death Eaters continue," Amelia began. "Since our last session, there have been two attacks of note, both recently. First, on 30 December, four Death Eaters, led by Bellatrix Black, attacked the home of a muggleborn witch in London. Second, yesterday, four mercenaries hired by the Death Eaters attacked a muggleborn's shop in Carkitt Market. On the surface, these attacks would seem to be in line with Death Eater philosophy: that of pureblood supremacy. They are not. Both were indirect attacks against Lord Harry Potter." Harry started and his eyes, already focused on Amelia, narrowed.

"Both of these attacks show the evolution of Voldemort's strategy," Amelia continued. "We have already seen him attacking muggleborn homes. This is a continuation, however unsuccessful the attacks have been, of his old strategy. The shop attack, however, show that he's begun circumventing the warding of high-traffic areas by the use of unmarked mercenaries. There was a use of unmarked followers in the beginning, with the snake attack at the Ministry, but he appears to have amassed sufficient wealth since that time to hire trained mercenaries instead." Harry wanted desperately to know which shop was hit. If they were targeting him, he needed to know Sam Bell was safe.

"Thanks to several agents we have placed in the Death Eater ranks – two mid-level operatives, and one foot soldier – we knew about the attacks before they happened and were able to successfully stop both of them," Amelia said. Harry was confused. That didn't match what Harry knew to be true. He resolved to ask Amelia about the discrepancy later. "All eight Death Eaters, including Bellatrix Black, were killed by Aurors responding to the scenes. No one else was hurt." That definitely didn't match what Harry had heard. What game was she playing?

"While these agents within the Death Eaters have proven useful, we must not rely on their reports to keep us safe," Amelia said. "This morning, I've ordered an increase in Auror patrols of London shopping streets and Hogsmeade, a strengthened Ministry guard, and the placement of an Auror guard at Hogwarts and St. Mungo's."

Amelia sat, and the head of the Department of Magical Transportation rose to give his report. Harry tried to pay attention, but he couldn't distract himself from Amelia's report. Old business turned into new business, and before Harry knew it, the Chief Warlock was closing the session. Harry waved to Healer Droop in the gallery and hurried after Amelia, ignoring Sirius, Remus, and Augusta. He caught up with her as she entered her office. He knocked on the closing door.

"Harry," she said, surprised as she opened the door again. "What's wrong?" She could clearly see he was perturbed.

"Why did you lie?" Harry asked abruptly.

"You'd better come in," Amelia sighed, waving him towards a seat in her office. He sat, waiting expectantly for her to continue. "I lied because everything I say in those meetings makes it to Voldemort's ears. I know you know the truth about the attack on the Grangers' house, but Voldemort doesn't. He also doesn't know why the attack on Hampton's Limited failed last night." Harry's heart unclenched.

"Are they alright?" Harry asked. "The Hamptons?"

"They're quite shaken, but they survived," Amelia reported. "Voldemort knows about your trunks. I don't know if he was trying to kill the creator, or kidnap her. The three Hamptons managed to escape into a trunk of their own in time, and then used an access trunk to leave to contact Aurors, who arrived to find two of the four mercenaries unconscious. They killed the other two before they could really piece together what had happened. We're still interrogating the two we captured. They'll be put through the veil soon."

"And the lie about the agents?" Harry pressed.

"Classic misdirection," Amelia smiled at last. "Severus Snape has been working for me since I tracked him down last summer. I'd rather Voldemort thought there were two mid-level Death Eaters working for us than one inner circle Death Eater. It'll increase his paranoia, hopefully he'll kill some of his own people thinking they're moles. Plus, it provides a plausible explanation when his people don't come back."

"Come back from where?" Harry wondered.

"On the 2nd we installed a new Dark Mark detection and redirection rune cluster in the Floo Network Authority," Amelia said with an evil smile. "When it detects a Dark Mark on a user, it automatically reroutes them to our department's special floo, where there are Aurors waiting to arrest them. Of course, the second they pop out, they're incapacitated, so it's a fairly simple process. We've already snagged around ten Death Eaters foolish enough to use floos."

"That's genius," Harry said.

"Tonks and Remus came up with it," Amelia told him.

"Was the bit about the increased Death Eater funding true?" Harry asked next.

"Unfortunately," Amelia nodded. "We're working with Gringotts, who, since our change in leadership have been quite helpful, actually. They're assisting us with monitoring funds and accounts linked to known Death Eaters. Every transaction to or from those accounts is tracked, leading us to new accounts and financial backers. Most of the new money is coming in from the continent, primarily central and eastern Europe. They're outside our jurisdiction, but we've passed along the information to the relevant Ministries."

"Will they do anything?"

"Probably not," Amelia admitted. "I've convinced Minister Ogden to press our case at the ICW. The French dislike the eastern Europeans even more than they dislike us, especially lately, which might be helpful towards seeing eventual prosecutions."

"That doesn't help us now," Harry pointed out.

"No, but it does serve as a distraction for Voldemort," Amelia said. "While the Ministry is compartmentalised to do multiple things at once, the Death Eaters aren't. It doesn't hurt us to have our diplomats pressing the ICW for action, they're not Aurors. Every Death Eater trying to counter our action is one more Death Eater who isn't out there spreading terror amongst the people."

"Good point," Harry acknowledged.

"Was there anything else?" Amelia asked. "I really should be getting back to police the Necropolis."

"Why?" Harry asked, confused.

"I took every male Hufflepuff's name off the guest list after Christmas," Amelia said. "But that doesn't stop them from flying a broom or taking a train from Middleborough."

"I don't think that'll be a problem," Harry said. "Most Hufflepuff boys aren't on the list for Middleshire, and McGonagall really turned the screws on Hufflepuff. They don't have prefects or a door to their common room anymore, and the girls can't go into the boys' dorms now either."

"I know," Amelia smiled wickedly. "I suggested some of those punishments. Minerva was more than happy to take me up on them."

"Which ones?"

"Removing the door, and no girls in the boys' dorms," Amelia offered. "If they're that into public sex, then I supposed a lack of privacy shouldn't stop them. Why not let everyone see what they're doing?"

"Yeah," Harry nodded, grinning. It was a fitting punishment.

-oooo-

Harry returned to Potter House in time for lunch, which was taken on the train, as Harry, Katie, Lee, and Leanne travelled to the Italian Villa. It had been Katie's idea. She wanted their first time to be special. So, they travelled in Harry's private car and feasted on herb roasted chicken and fresh fruit. They were well sated by the time Thomas announced their arrival.

The villa was as Harry remembered it: picturesque, on a cliff overlooking the sea. They couple gave Lee and Leanne a quick tour of the house. It was quite warm outside, but the sun beckoned. By mutual consent, the four of them stripped to avoid tan lines and lay out to catch some sun.

"I don't want to burn," Leanne said, looking up at the sun after sitting.

"Oh," Katie said, having clearly rehearsed this with Leanne beforehand. "I've got some sunscreen." She pulled the bottle out of her bag and handed it to Harry. "Could you give this to Leanne?" she asked, pulling him down for a quick kiss. "Love you."

"Love you, too," Harry said, grinning at how contrived this was. He took two steps to Leanne's seat and handed her the bottle.

"Erm, could you do my back?" she asked innocently. Harry looked down at her as she reclined the sunlounger and rolled over. He glanced at Lee, who was watching them intently, then back at Leanne.

"Sure," Harry said, crouching down next to her, and removing the cap on the bottle.

"Lee," Katie called, "I've another bottle over here." Lee was up and gone before she'd stopped speaking. Apparently, Lee was eager. Harry squirted some of the cream into his hand and started massaging it into Leanne's back. He took the time to observe her closely. She could've been sculpted from marble during the renaissance. Her classic figure was enhanced by her wavy brown hair. Though she was laying facedown, he'd seen her tits and cunny enough to know they were quite nice, and the arse he was inches away from would've made Botticelli salivate.

"I don't think you're getting everywhere," Leanne said innocently. "Why don't you straddle me so you can reach more?" Harry rolled his eyes with a smile, but complied, straddling her legs. By this time, he was very hard, and it was a struggle to get keep his cock from contacting her back. He managed, though. He finished her shoulders, arms, and back, and paused.

"Do you want me to keep going?" he asked.

"Might as well get it all," Leanne told him lightly. Harry glanced over at Katie and Lee. Lee was in a similar position to Harry, but judging from the lotion-covered parts of Katie, he'd started on her bum and not gotten much else. One of his hands was resting on Katie's thigh while the other disappeared between her legs. Harry smirked, apparently Lee wasn't big on foreplay.

Harry squeezed more sunscreen into his hands and gently placed them on Leanne's cheeks, careful to massage the cream everywhere. Switching to the thighs, he did one, then the other, a hand occasionally brushing her core. She was mewling with satisfaction at the lotion application cum massage, and when his hands bumped the juncture between her legs, the mewling increased. He eventually moved on and finished Leanne's legs, unsure what to do next, he looked over at Katie and Lee. Lee was laying on top of Katie, and he was thrusting into her from behind quietly.

"Any other spots you'd like me to get?" Harry asked Leanne suggestively from his spot at her feet. "I could get your front, if you'd like." Leanne rolled over without hesitation.

"I don't think my front needs any sunscreen," she replied, glancing over at Katie's sunlounger. "But it could use a little of that," she said, turning to where his erect member bobbed a foot over her toes. Harry smiled and nodded, crawling up Leanne's body, placing the bottle on the ground as he went.

"How does this usually go?" he asked, softer now that their faces were together.

"Usually, you put your cock in me and we fuck," Leanne said like it was the dumbest question she'd ever heard. "Do what feels good." A little put off by Leanne's abruptness, Harry nodded and eased a hand between her legs, sliding a finger up and down her cunny. She was wet, so Harry angled his cock and thrust into her, causing her to moan. After a few thrusts she said huskily, "I was right. You are a quidditch god. Oh, yesssssss."

Harry continued to thrust into her, and lowered his head to her breasts, capturing a nipple in his mouth. Leanne mewled. He ran his tongue over the tip, and she shuddered, her hands moving to press his head to her chest. Harry kept up his two-pronged assault, and it wasn't long before her whole body violently shook as she cried out her orgasm.

Not wanting to overstimulate her, Harry stopped thrusting. As Leanne recovered, they both looked over at the other couple. Leanne had a hungry look in her eye. Katie was laying on her back, with Lee on top.

"What d'you say we give them a hand?" Leanne asked quietly. Harry nodded, and they disentangled themselves. Katie noticed them coming over, and motioned for Harry to come to her. He knelt on the patio bricks by her head, and she grasped his still-hard cock. A moment later it was in her mouth. It looked a bit awkward for her, but Harry wasn't about to complain.

Lee adjusted slightly, angling Katie so her lower half was dangling off the sunlounger at an angle, and he too knelt before resuming his assault on her cunny. Leanne knelt next to Lee, kissed him quickly, then surprised Harry by starting to caress Katie's breasts. She then nearly broke Harry by leaning down and capturing a nipple in her mouth.

Katie, under assault from three sides, didn't last long, and when she moaned and shook, the extra stimulation sent Harry over the top as well. When he recovered his senses, he noticed Lee seemed to have finished as well, and Lee and Leanne were sharing a quick kiss from where Lee had retreated onto his haunches. Katie swallowed and pulled Harry down for a searing kiss of their own. When they broke, Katie looked at the other couple.

"Anyone up for the hot tub?" she asked innocently. Harry idly wondered what else Katie and Leanne would be doing together as the foursome crossed the patio to the bubbling water.