Chapter 37

The morning dawns and Harry is presented with a chance to attend Potions. He tells Slughorn that he was told that he was able to attend but has no text. Ron tells the professor the same. They are allowed to take two from the closet. Ron opens one and can't read it because of the marginal writing. He gives it up to Harry, who can read it.

Slughorn talks about mind control potions, including love potions. He sets an assignment to make the Draught of Living Death. The incentive is a bottle of Liquid Luck. Hermione works through the steps. Half way through, she sees that Harry's further along. How the eff?!

Harry is named the winner of the tiny competition. Hermione is already upset about it; more at herself than anyone; but when she finds out that Harry used the suggestions in the margins, she is livid.

It takes a few weeks and a sweet letter from George for her to cool down about the book. He had asked her point blank if she wanted to ruin her friendship with Harry over this. She finds Harry studying with Sue.

"Harry, may I speak to you for a moment?" Harry looks up and nods. "I need to apologizeto you about this book nonsense. I think I mostly was upset that you achieved something before me in a class that I've always did well in. The practical side to defense is one place you'll always be better than me. Anyway, I am sorry." She hangs her head.

Harry and Sue snort. "'Mione love, don't worry. I already realized that. Now can you please help me and Sue with this History stuff?" He smiles his bashful half smile and hugs her.

On a walk around the lake later, Harry confesses that he had been asked to take over as captain. "I refused to take it away from Katie. It's her right as the eldest. I don't envy her having to hold tryouts." He scratches his neck.

"Yeah, keeper is bad enough, but who is going to be beaters? I'm assuming that Ginny's going for chaser." Hermione muses as she looks over the still water.

"I wouldn't know. I'm not really talking to her much. She is dating Dean, so she is all consumedby that right now. With my dating Sue, there isn't much for her and I to discuss." He chuckles. "I'm just glad she's moved on."

Hermione cracks up. "Harry, my dear brother, I love how clueless you are. Think about it. Ginny is being bombarded everyday at home to bring you "home" for good by Molly. Even with her dating Dean, she would drop him in a hot second if you showed any real interest. I make it a point not meddle in your personal life, but I'm going to say this only once. DO NOT THROW YOUR BEST SHOT AT HAPPINESS AWAY! Sue loves you deeply."

Harry hugs Hermione. "Calm down, Sis. I know she is. In fact, I plan to ask for her hand when we get done with everything." He tells her.

"If I've learned anything Harry, it's this. Ask her now. Who knows what's going to happen next year."

The Gryffindor tryouts were attended by many, both on the pitch and in the stands. Hermione and Sue sit together and people watch. They were in tears, laughing over Lavender's wonton display over Ron.

Both were worried about Ginny's thoughts over being on the team with Harry. That and Ron's head swelling. On the other hand, if he didn't make the team, he would be miserable and in turn take it out on Harry and Hermione. The last worry was Cormac McLaggan. The blonde seventh year had been watching Hermione's every move outside of classes. He was even in the "Slug Club" with her, Harry and Neville. Which brought a question to mind.

"Sue, why were you not "chosen" by Slughorn?"

Sue laughs brightly. "Auntie hates how he trades on knowing people. She could not stand him in school and he avoids her now." She pats Hermione's hand. "I'd be more worried about McLaggan's little crush. He seems to almost be stalking you."

"Yeah, I know. It's creepy. We've been in the same house since our sorting, yet he never showed any interest before." Hermione shivers with revulsion.

"Ever think it may have been a certainginger with a beater's bat that isn't around this year that may have scared him away."

"What's Fred got to do with this? Seriously, touche. You may have hit the nail on the head." Hermione sighs.

The blonde wanna-be keeper was looking up at them when they turned back to the tryouts. Hermione decides to help Ron out. She dazes Cormac on every other try. This means that he catches less plays than Ron. Ron is declared the keeper and Ginny a chaser.

When the decisions are done, as Katie wanted his input, Harry climbs up to sit on Sue's other side, claiming the red head's hand. "Thank Merlin, Cormac didn't make it. I don't think I could stand hearing how I wasn't playing correctly many more times." Harry turns to the girls. "Please wait for me after practices and games. I don't trust Ginny. If you haven't noticed, Dean's no where around. Lastly, what in creation got into Lavender?" He asks.

Hermione leans around Susan. "Easy, Ginny's having problems with Dean. He's not you and he's got his own interests that don't mesh well with her's. We were wondering the same. She seems to be after Ron. I'd say she would have an easier time of it than Cormac will with me."

"He told me that with the twins gone and with me being with Sue here, you need someone. I truly tried to tell him that you didn't, but he doesn't know when to stop. He called you a minx." Harry shivers at how wrong it feels to have those word come out of his mouth.

Hermione's eyes widen and she gags. "I think I'm going to be sick." She shakes her head.

The trio walk into Three Broomsticks during the Hogsmeadetrip before Christmas. Harry spies Ginny kissing Dean in the corner and points it out to Hermione. Together they try to steer the older brother away before he sees the couple.

Their effort is for nil, because Ron cries out. "Oi! get away from my little sister!" Harry heaves the man to sit down. "They've been together for a while now Ron. There isn't anything you can do. You were not this upset when she was with Neville."

"With Nev, I didn't see them "together", so I didn't have to deal with it." Ron whines. When Hermione is up ordering for them, he turns to Harry. "So, do you think I have a shot?"

"With Lavender, oh yeah. She was cheering the loudest and making sappy dog eyes at you at the tryouts." Harry sits back and people watches.

"No, with Hermione. I heard her complaining to Susan about McLaggan. You guys have that fancy party coming up. Do you think she'll ask me? Should I ask her?" Ron is tearing up his napkin.

Harry chokes on his saliva. Once back in control, he speaks. "Hermione is still seeing your brother. If she invites anyone to the party, it'll be George. Not that you've noticed I see, but they write twice daily. She gets flowers delivered every morning in the Great Hall. You might as well just give up now, while you are still friends. Pushing her may make her lash out." He takes a drink and thanks his sister, who just put the steins down.