Welcome to the Jungle

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or Glee. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Part One: Fifteen

Chapter Twelve: Contagious

He doesn't kiss her.

Not on the lips, anyway.

It's tempting to, and by the way Quinn watches him, Harry's pretty sure she wants him to, but he settles for a hug, and a kiss on the cheek, instead. His parents are in the car, engine idling, and one (or both) of her parents are probably watching from a window, and he'd rather not have an audience if or when it happens. He's not Puck, thank you.

"Thanks for coming out with me tonight," he says, not for the first time, and squeezes both of her hands in his. "I'll, er, text you?"

"Yeah, texting's good. After ten, though? I've got church."

"Of course," Harry answers. He raises their joined hands to kiss her knuckles. "G'night, Q."

He descends from the Fabray's portico, offers her a brief wave, and then retreats to his father's car. His parents are in the midst of what looks like a very serious conversation, but they both turn to him as he slides onto the leather upholstered back seat, and both of them wear expectant, curious faces.

"Did you have a good time?" James asks.

"Yeah," Harry replies, "The paella was good."

Lily rolls her eyes. "And the company?"

Harry sighs, resigned to the interrogation. "The company was good, Mum. I enjoyed myself, Quinn had a good time, I like her a lot, and we'll probably go out again."

"I don't think we'll get anymore out of him, Lil," James comments.

"No," Lily agrees, "Neither do I."

They return to an empty house, pets notwithstanding. Frodo and Sam are as enthusiastic as ever, and Loki's sprawled lazily across the back of a couch in the living room. Kate, however, is at a friend's place until Sunday afternoon, and Harry's going to miss his weekend free of dance pop, Gossip Girl reruns, and his sister's constant gabbing.

After he bids both of his parents a good night, he retreats downstairs, briefly contemplates his XBOX, and then reluctantly thinks better of it. He's got another shift at the Steam House the following morning, and he won't have the luxury of a nap afterwards. Instead, he's got a pile of homework and projects to complete, exams to study for, a new book to read for his English class, and a list of chores to complete around the house. It'll be a long day, essentially, but at least he's got Monday - and Quinn's company, specifically - to look forward to.

With all of that in mind, he reluctantly gets ready for bed, climbs under his covers, and texts Quinn a brief 'Hey, made it home. I had fun tonight. Hope you sleep well.' Afterwards, he makes himself comfortable, and reflects on his evening. It had gone well, and Quinn had looked particularly pretty, and she'd been rather tactile with him, as well. It's new, but it wasn't unpleasant, and not for the first time, he wonders what it would be like to kiss her properly, to taste her skin, to touch her in ways her church would probably (re: most definitely) frown upon.

His body reacts to his thoughts, and Harry indulges. It's not the first time, it certainly won't be the last, and when he is done, he cleans himself up, and opens his bedroom window to air out his room. It's cold outside, but it's warm under his bedcovers, and Harry relaxes into his mattress with a contented sigh.

He's asleep a few minutes later.

-!- -#-

Hermione doesn't work on Sundays, but others do. Among them, Ron, who showers Harry with questions about his date with Quinn. The others working with them aren't quite as persistent, but they're as curious, and Harry's sure his face has never felt so red.

"Will you ask her out again?"

"Yeah," Harry confirms.

"What about Greengrass?" Ron asks.

Harry shrugs. "What about her? I don't even know her, really. I mean, she's pretty,-"

"That's an understatement," Ron interjects.

"But I've never said a word to her. Actually, most of the time, I think she thinks I'm beneath her notice."

It's a strange thing to experience. He's always been important to people in some way or another - James Potter's son, soccer star, football quarterback, popular guy - but he doesn't dislike it. At the same time, though, a part of Harry wonders what it would take for Daphne Greengrass to consider him worth her attention. With this thing he has with Quinn, though, Harry tries not to pay that part of him any heed.

Ron shrugs, nonchalant. "Your call, dude."

They return to work, blessedly behind the counter, and the remainder of their shift passes in a monotonous haze. It's a relief when it's over, and Harry looks forward to the day when he can get his car and can, subsequently, cut down on his hours. School's only going to get more intensive as the years go by, and he hasn't got enough time in his day for everything.

"What are you doing this afternoon?" Ron asks. They're on the sidewalk outside the Steam House, and Harry's got a walk home to look forward to. He'll probably use his skateboard when he reaches the more residential parts of Lima, but until then, he'll just have to hoof it.

"Nothing," Harry answers, "I've just got some shit to do at home."

"Yeah," Ron acknowledges, "I hear you. Mum wants us to clean out the barn by the end of this weekend."

Ron and his family live on a moderately-sized property just on the outskirts of town. His mother grows and sells her own fruit and vegetables, but according to Ron, it's just a hobby, with the benefit of being surprisingly lucrative. It does, however, mean that Ron and his siblings are often recruited to help with harvesting and soiling and all the rest of it, but evidently, as much as they complain about it, none of them are about to deny the woman who feeds them.

"I bet the twins and Ginny loved that," Harry quips.

Ron grins. "Work is work, but it's a lot better than that. They'll probably put itching powder in my sheets if I don't do my part, though.."

"Siblings," Harry commiserates.

"Siblings," Ron agrees.

They part ways, Ron for the bus stop down the street, Harry for home, and on his way, he checks his phone. He'd managed to steal a few moments shortly after ten to text Quinn, but he'd had few free minutes since, and Quinn's reply blinks up at him from his phone screen, unopened and unacknowledged. He rectifies that quickly, replies to her message and adds an apology for the delay in response, citing work.

What ensues is an intermittent exchange of text messages between Harry and Quinn that lasts throughout the afternoon, through chores and homework and a begrudging study session for his History class. By the time dinner rolls around, Harry has established that Quinn is not adverse to another date. He does, however, remain uncertain if it's too soon to ask her out again, and thus he hesitates, and asks Hermione for advice.

"I think you're an idiot," Hermione says over the phone line, "But I guess you're one of my idiots, so I'll help you out."

"Thanks," he answers, tone droll, "Love you too, Hermione."

"Yeah, yeah, what would you do without me? Anyway, you've both established you'd like to go out again?"

"Yes."

"Okay, truth? There aren't any rules here. You can call her tonight and ask her, if you want. and don't make it vague like 'let's hang out', all right? Actually have something in mind."

"Got it," Harry acknowledges, "Thanks, Hermione."

"No problem," she answers, "Good luck."

He ends his call with Hermione, and calls Quinn directly afterwards. He's supposed to be reading, analysing, and taking notes on Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible', but instead they chat about their favourite novels, movies they've seen recently, and TV shows they're into.

During a lull in their conversation, Harry takes a bracing breath, and then takes the plunge. "I don't know how you feel about shoe rentals, but if you're not opposed to them, would you like to go bowling with me?"

Quinn laughs. "I don't have a problem with shoe rentals, and I'd love to go bowling with you."

And Harry can breathe again.

Author's Note: Chapter title is 'Contagious' by Avril Lavigne. Transition chapter, which is bleh, but plot and character development continues from next chapter. Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed. Until next time, -t.