A/N: Anyone who knows me knows that I have a tendency to write between 8000 to 10000 words a chapter so writing between 3000 to 5000 words is quite difficult for me. Yet, I promised myself I will try it so here we are. And I'm keeping to the schedule of a chapter a day.
Just want to point out two things. The first has to do with the pairings. Now I want everyone to know that this story can either go towards Dramione or Harmony but unlike some stories, I will be giving both boys an equal chance. As for Ron and Hermione, I think I can safely say here that this won't be Romione as I've kind of already written a Romione story. However, Ron's relationship with Hermione and Harry will be important in the upcoming chapters.
Secondly, the first few chapters will have more of a focus on both Tracey and Ron as they are my protagonists but as we move forward, you will see more from the other three (Draco, Hermione, and Harry) as well as other supporting characters. There's so much more to each character, especially some of the Slytherins than meets the eye.
As always, I appreciate the reads, favourites, follows and above all else, the reviews! Thank you so much and as always please do review if you can. Love you all: ]
Disclaimer: It ain't mine. It's JK Rowling's.
WHAT'S LOVE, GOT TO DO, GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Chapter 3: The Curse
"Ron, could you please slow down?" Hermione cried in disgust as Ron gobbled down yet another bacon sandwich. Harry could only laugh as the redhead wizard glared at Hermione before reaching for another sandwich. "I'm hungry. Is that such a crime?"
Before Hermione could respond, however, the trio was approached by Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, and Neville Longbottom. Seamus had a wicked grin on his face as he sat across from Ron while Neville looked slightly embarrassed.
"What?" Ron said irritably as he noticed Seamus staring at him.
"Oh, nothing," Seamus said before exchanging a look with Dean. "It's just I heard someone tell me that apparently, you were spending some quality time with a Slytherin witch last night."
"Harry!" Ron said as he turned to his best mate who raised his hands in defence. "Wasn't me, mate."
"It was me." Neville sighed. "I overheard you talking to Harry this morning."
"Wait, what's this about Ron and some witch?" cried the voice of Lavender Brown as she sat with the group alongside Parvati Patil. "You're going out with someone already?"
"Who said anything about going out?" Ron half-yelled as some students along the table stared in their direction. "I just met her at the Astronomy Tower last night."
"What were you doing at the Astronomy Tower?" Parvati asked as Seamus snickered.
"Come on, Parvati. Think. The Astronomy Tower. An isolated spot where you can just lie there and bask underneath the stars. Sounds quite romantic. Why else would Ron pick such a place?" Seamus laughed as Ron threw a roll at him.
"Lay off him, Seamus," Harry said, coming to the defence of his friend. "You know why he was there."
"True but I thought he'll be there alone," Seamus said before turning back to Ron. "I didn't think he was going to up there, canoodling with Tracey Davis on his lap under your cloak!"
"Bloody hell! Neville!" Ron roared as Neville tried to duck under the table.
"What the hell was Tracey Davis doing on your lap?!" Lavender snapped as Ron could see that everyone was staring at him. Ron turned to Harry who nodded his head.
"She fell into his lap when they tried to hide from Professor Sinistra! Really guys, get your mind out of the gutter! Besides, Ron and Tracey are working on an assignment for Muggle Studies."
"You have an assignment for Muggle Studies?" Hermione asked, her attention piqued as Ron groaned.
"Yes, Tracey and I are working on something for Professor Burbage. She said that I get to be excused from class as the paper will count towards my NEWTs." Ron explained as Lavender narrowed her eyes.
"So why did she have to be in your lap for that?"
"Oh for fuck's sake, Lavender, let it go!"
"Ron!" Hermione cried as she glared at him. "Language. Five points from Gryffindor."
Everyone groaned out loud. "Oh, come on, Hermione. We're in your house." Parvati sighed.
"Then you should know better. I have to uphold the rules of the school." Hermione replied with a slight hint of haughtiness.
"Speaking of houses, I would give you a high-five, Ron," Seamus said as he turned his attention to the redhead once more. "If only it was Daphne Greengrass. Now that would have earned you two." Seamus exclaimed, much to the disgust of the witches in the table.
"I really don't see what's with all you prats fascination with Daphne Greengrass," Lavender muttered.
"Cos she's fine," Dean replied. "Tracey, she's more of a…nice?"
"She's not nice!" Ron retorted before realising what he just said. "I mean, she is nice in a way but wouldn't you categorise her as pretty?"
"Hmmmm, okay Weasley, for you," Seamus said as Harry, Dean, and Neville nodded. "She can be pretty."
"What are all of you talking about?" Hermione said as the boys exchanged looks. "Nothing!" Harry said as he glared at Seamus who started whistling.
"Well, I think it's great that you and Tracey are dating," Neville said sincerely to Ron.
Ron let out a sigh of exasperation. "We are not dating! It's just a project!"
"Besides," Seamus replied. "Ron can't date Tracey. It's against the rules."
"What rules?" Hermione asked as she looked curiously at Seamus. "I wasn't aware there were any rules involved."
"Not the ones you find in Hogwarts: A History, Hermione," Dean replied. "Seamus is talking about the unwritten rules. The ones that govern our social lives here in Hogwarts."
"Exactly. And the first rule is that Gryffindors don't date Slytherins." Seamus said as the girls gaped at him.
"What kind of nonsense is that?!" Hermione said indignantly. "Why can't they date?"
"Relax!" Seamus replied, alarmed at the outburst. " It's not something that's enforced, just how it is. Look, in the history of Hogwarts, there have been many inter-house relationships but has there ever been one between a Gryffindor and a Slytherin?"
"I'm sure some of them have dated some of us," Parvati replied as a few heads nodded.
"Yes, but nothing more than a fling. I'm talking about serious dating. Getting into a serious relationship." Seamus explained as he looked around the table before nodding towards the Slytherin table. "Do any of you know anyone who has been in one? I think not!"
The entire group stared at Seamus before turning their heads to face the Slytherins. Seamus had a point. In their entire seven years at Hogwarts, never had any of them heard about a Gryffindor and a Slytherin dating.
"I don't know when it started," Seamus spoke. "But I heard from some seniors that the last such relationship occurred over a century ago. Apparently, the relationship ended so badly that people believed a relationship between a Gryffindor and a Slytherin will only end up in tears. It's like its cursed or something."
"Really?" Hermione scoffed. "And pray tell, where are these sources?"
"Hermione, it's true," Dean replied. "Our two houses hate each other and though I personally don't believe in such a curse, you have to admit it's difficult to have a relationship with someone from Slytherin. Your friends will despise your partner and sooner or later, you'll just end it with them."
"So you're saying I can flirt with a Slytherin boy but not be in a relationship with him?" Parvati asked sceptically as Seamus nodded.
"I think it's a load of dung," Harry spoke as he shrugged his shoulders. "I mean, if you really care for someone, you shouldn't care where he or she comes from or what house they belong to. That doesn't define a person."
Hermione beamed at him as Seamus and Dean pretended to gag. Ron gave his best friend a smirk while Neville patted Ron on his back.
"If you want to date Tracey, I promise not to hate you," Neville said as Ron let out a groan.
"Oh for the last bloody time…"
"Language, Ron!" Hermione hissed as Lavender glared at Neville. "He said he doesn't want to date her so let it go. Won-won can date whoever he wants!"
The entire Gryffindor table groaned at the use of Ron's nickname as Lavender stared out at everyone. "What?!"
"Maybe there's another reason why Tracey wants to work with you," Seamus spoke, eager to change the subject. "I mean, Ron, no offence but Tracey could have worked with anyone in her group. Why choose you?"
"Because I can get good grades?" Ron said as he glared at Hermione who averted her gaze while Harry snickered before giving Ron an apologetic look.
"Please, Ron, this is serious," Seamus said as he stared at the Slytherin table. "What if…it's because of Quidditch?"
"Quidditch?!" Hermione cried incredulously.
"That's it!" Dean said as he smacked the table. "Ron, you're the vice-captain of the team. They know that you're single now and so they sent Tracey to try to get our tactics from you."
"Ron, you can't date Tracey…OWW…I was kidding!" Harry cried as Ron elbowed him in the stomach.
"I knew she was up to something," Lavender whispered to Parvati while Neville looked sceptical.
"I don't know. Wouldn't they send Daphne Greengrass?"
"Please, like Ron could get the Ice Queen herself." Lavender retorted as Ron glared at her.
"You think I can't get Daphne?" Ron said in an accusing tone before Seamus intervened.
"Mate, you know I love you but we have to be realistic. Daphne is out of all our leagues. Tracey's much more obtainable." Seamus argued as Hermione scowled at him.
"That is just so typical of you, Seamus! As if girls are like some objects to be obtained. Whatever Tracey's reasons are for wanting to work with Ron, it most definitely doesn't involve Quidditch. There's more to life than just Quidditch, you know."
"Thank you!" Ron said as he glared at Seamus who refused to back down.
"Then explain to me why one of the top students in our school wants to work with Ron, of all people, on a project? It's suspicious, I tell you!"
"But haven't we already beaten them in Quidditch for the past two years? At this rate, even if we lose this one, we still win overall." Parvati said as all five boys gasped in horror.
"Parvati, everyone knows that the last Quidditch cup you win before you graduate is the most important of them all!" Dean cried. "You really think Malfoy will care that we won more cups? He'll just gloat over this final victory for years to come."
"It's just a cup." Hermione sighed as the group burst into chatter.
"Just a cup? Are you insane?!"
"Quidditch just divides houses."
"Hermione, you know I respect your opinion but I have to agree with…"
"Ron, if you want to go for Tracey, I won't hold it against you."
"Won-Won! You're not really into Tracey, right?"
"Are you all talking about Nargles?"
"Luna! Where did you come from?"
"Enough!" Ron roared as the group became silent. Ron stood up, his eyes glaring at each and every one of his friends. "Look, what Tracey and I do is none of anyone's business. We're just partners working on a project for Burbage! We're not dating or anything. She just wants to work with me because she thinks that I can contribute to the project in a way that none of you can. Can't you all just believe, for once, that it's because she needs my help in her studies and not because she's in love with me nor is she spying to know about our tactics?!"
Everyone stared at Ron in silence as he sat down, grumbling while picking another bacon sandwich. Ron could see everyone exchanging looks while nodding to each other in silence before Seamus spoke up.
"So we all agree. It's definitely Quidditch."
Ron sighed loudly as he collapsed back to his seat.
….
"Did you guys see that?" Crabbe said as he pointed towards the Gryffindor table. "They're looking at us again"
"Maybe they're just checking Daphne out. Like those Hufflepuff boys over there!" Blaise cried out loud as he pointed to three fifth-year Hufflepuff wizards who turned red the moment the group stared at them. Daphne rolled her eyes in disgust.
"Or maybe, it's because they heard that one of us here was with a Weasley in the Astronomy Tower last night," Pansy said as she sneered at Tracey who glared at her.
"You were with Weasley last night?" Draco spat in disgust.
"Tracey, I didn't know you had a thing for redheads." Daphne sniggered as Tracey flipped her best friend off.
"Yeah, I was with him. So what?" Tracey replied as she went back to her breakfast. "I need him for something."
"His wand perhaps?" Blaise chuckled. "Maybe even take a ride on it?"
Tracey nearly choked on her food as Daphne and Pansy started to giggle while Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle made faces. "What the hell? Wait, how did you even know I was with Weasley?" Tracey asked as she rounded up on Pansy.
"Hello? Have you forgotten about the map?" Pansy said as she lifted a piece of parchment from her robes. Tracey groaned out loud. Back during their fifth year, when Professor Umbridge reigned supreme, there was talk about Potter and his gang having some sort of secret Defence Against the Dark Arts classes and rumours were circulating that Harry Potter had a map that allowed him to see where everyone would be in Hogwarts. As a response, Pansy and Draco pleaded to Umbridge to help them create a similar map and with the help of some talented Ministry officials, they created the Inquisitorial Map, similar to the one Potter was rumoured to help.
"Stop spying on me, Pansy." Tracey snapped as she glared at Pansy who smirked at her.
"So why were you with Weasley?" Draco asked as all eyes turned towards her. Tracey considered telling them to mind their own business but the problem with Slytherins is that the more you tell them to get lost, the more they want to butt in.
"He's helping me with my Muggle studies project." Tracey sighed as Draco gave her an incredulous look.
"You could have asked for either me or Pansy to help you."
"Well then, I would be sparing both of you from each other's company." Tracey sneered as Pansy went back to staring lovingly at Draco who avoided looking at her.
"Just don't forget about the curse." Goyle said as Daphne glared at him.
"There's no such curse, you buffon!"
"Kind of is," Crabbe said, coming to the defence of his friend. "There's never been a successful relationship between a Gryffindor and a Slytherin."
"Why would anyone want to be with one of those Muggle-loving fools, eh Draco?" Pansy said as she nudged the blonde wizard who was staring at the Gryffindor table. "Huh, yes. Of course."
"Better not be renegading on our bet, Malfoy." Blaise chuckled as Draco glared at him. "Remember you have to win her heart. I don't care if you break it afterward. You could shag her too if you want."
"Why would Draco want to shag that filthy Mudblood…" Pansy said before Draco slammed his fist on the table, shocking everyone.
"Don't call her that!"
"I was just…" Pansy stammered as Draco glared daggers at her. Blaise, however, was the first to recover. "What the hell, mate? You're the one who loves calling them that but for some reason, two years ago, you decided to stop? Don't think we haven't noticed it."
"Yeah, Draco, what's that about?" Crabbe said as Goyle nodded. Draco, however, said nothing, his face a mask of indifference as he shrugged his shoulders. Deep inside his head, however, he could hear his mother's voice.
Draco, there's something you need to know.
"Look, I just think the term is overrated. Go and call her that all you want. It's just stupid if you ask me. Mud-blood? Like dirty blood? We're in the twenty-first century and we can't come up with something better than those Death Eaters? Please." Draco drawled as he grabbed another sandwich. He could see that Blaise didn't buy into it though Pansy seemed to be satisfied with his answer. Crabbe and Goyle said nothing, their loyalty remained intact while Daphne just couldn't be bothered. Strangely, it was Tracey who came to his rescue.
"I think Draco is just practising how to win Granger over. Can't very well win the bet if he attacks her with personal insults, can he, Zabini?" Tracey replied as Blaise flinched at the use of his last name. Turning his attention now towards Tracey, the latter braced herself for the imminent attack.
"You seem to know a lot about pursuing Gryffindors, Tracey. What's the matter, fallen in love with Weasley, have you?"
"Go to hell, Blaise." Tracey snapped as she glared at him. "What I do with Ron is none of your business."
The moment she said it, she knew she had made a mistake. The use of the Gryffindor's first name, never mind that he was the sworn enemy of Draco Malfoy, was a fatal error on her part. Pansy stared at her in disgust while Draco flinched at the use. Both Crabbe and Goyle gaped at her like the idiots that they were. It was Daphne's reaction that surprised her the most, her face frowning towards her not out of anger but rather of pity though to her credit, Daphne kept her mouth shut.
"On a first name basis now, I see," Blaise said as he grinned at her. "Better hope Weasley's a better guy than – "
"Shut the fuck up, Blaise!" Daphne yelled as she glowered at him. Even though Tracey knew Blaise wasn't one to back down, he knew better than to piss Daphne off. As Daphne glared at Blaise as well as the others, even causing Goyle and Crabbe to shrink a little, Tracey knew why everyone called her the Ice Queen.
"Someone talk about something else." Daphne cried as the rest of them exchanged looks. To everyone's surprise, it was Goyle who chose to speak.
"Isn't Weasley the vice-captain of the team?" Goyle said as he stared back at the group.
"So what?" Pansy asked.
"So wouldn't he know about their tactics?" Goyle said as Draco's eyes widened at about the same time as Tracey narrowed hers. She shook her head in disgust.
"Unlike some of you, I have an Outstanding grade to achieve. So excuse me while I head over to Ron (Tracey looked at Blaise who raised his hands in surrender) and we will go work on our project. See you all later." Tracey said as she took off towards the Gryffindor table. Mid-way from reaching the table, Tracey felt a soft hand grab her arm.
"Trace, you okay?" Daphne whispered as Tracey turned to face her.
"Yeah, thanks for what you did just now." Tracey sighed as Daphne gave her a smile. Smiles from Daphne Greengrass were a rarity although being her best friend did have some benefits.
"Look, I don't know what you have with Weasley but just be careful, okay?" Daphne said, looking concerned. "I just don't want it to be like the last time."
"Don't worry," Tracey replied as she put up a brave face. As Daphne retreated back to her seat, Tracey sighed as her mind turned back to the past, pulling a memory that had haunted her for so long.
We can't be together, Tracey. I'm so sorry.
…..
"Hey, Ron?" Dean said as he looked up from the table. "I think your working partner is coming over."
Everyone turned to see Tracey Davis striding up towards them. Ron could see Lavender glaring daggers while Hermione and Harry looked at Tracey, both with suspicious expressions on their faces.
"Ron, I'll see you later after lunch? Meet me in the library." Tracey said as Ron nodded, not wanting to say anything more.
"Hey, Davis," Seamus called out. "Will Greengrass be there?" he chuckled as Dean shook his head.
"Yes, she will," Tracey said as she smiled at him. "You know, Finnigan, you really are her type. Strong, outgoing, full of personality. Daphne could really use a guy like you."
"Really?"
"Yeah." Tracey sighed as she shrugged her shoulders. "If only you had a little more than that one-inch wand in your pants, you'll be perfect for her."
"You don't know what's in my pants," Seamus muttered as the boys together with Hermione and Parvati burst out in laughter. Lavender, on the other hand, glared at Tracey as she tried to move closer to Ron. Tracey rolled her eyes at her before looking at Ron.
"Guess, I'll see you later. Don't be late. And for the love of Merlin, Ron, stop stuffing your face." Tracey said as she walked off. Ron grunted as he reached to pick up another sandwich only to pull his hand back.
"What?" Ron said as Hermione stared at him. "I'm full."
…
"I'm really worried about Ron, Harry." Hermione sighed as she and Harry headed out into the first-floor corridor after accompanying Ron to the library. "You think Tracey will take advantage of him?"
"Ron's going to be fine, Hermione," Harry said as he gave her a smile. "This is Ron we're talking about. He can handle himself. If anything, I'll be more worried for Tracey. Ron's bound to drive her nuts."
"But you remember how he and Lavender broke up?" Hermione sighed as Harry admired the way her ponytail cascaded down her neck. Hermione had straightened her brown hair ever since their fifth year and Harry had to admit, it made her look more beautiful than ever before. "He didn't really deal with it. Just waited for Lavender to end it with him. What if he's hurting?"
"Trust me. He's not hurting." Harry replied as they continued to walk. "If anyone should be hurting, it should be you. You sure you're okay with Krum being attached to that new witch of his?"
"More than okay," Hermione said as she smiled at him. "I wasn't the right girl for him," Hermione said as she thought back to the summer.
"Hermy-own-ninny, thank you for visiting me," Krum said as he gave her a hug. They were seated inside a Muggle café in Hampstead Village. The place was secluded enough for them to meet and Hermione knew that most of the magical community tended to avoid Muggle places.
"It's fine, Viktor. What did you want to tell me?"
"I want to break up with you," Viktor said as Hermione looked surprised. "There's this girl from my village, Elena Dragan. She and I grew up together and although we were apart, I never forgot her or how I feel about her. Elena says that she wants to date me but she can't date someone who is attached. I need to break with you, Hermy-own-ninny."
Hermione stared blankly at Viktor before smiling and nodding her head. "Of course. That's wonderful, Viktor! I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you," Viktor said as he beamed at her. "I'm sorry we couldn't continue this..what do you call it...charade?"
"Yes," Hermione said as she smiled at him. The Yule Ball had made them friends and while neither of them had any romantic inclinations towards each other after Krum had kissed her at the ball, they continued to remain good friends. It was only in her fifth year, Hermione recalled, that she noticed many boys were staring at her and coming up to flirt with her. Though that didn't bother her as much, it was only when Hermione noticed how her close friends, particularly two wizards whom she considered as brothers, were acting towards her that she became worried.
"Viktor, I need your help." Hermione recalled herself saying. "Can we please pretend to be dating so that no one will bother me? I know it's a lot to ask –"
"It's okay, Hermy-own-ninny." Viktor had said when they met up back then. "I too am being bogged down by marriage proposals from female fans. Maybe a relationship, even a fake one, is what I need to get them off my back."
"So you're okay with it?" Hermione said as Viktor nodded. "We pretend to date?"
"Of course," Viktor said as he nodded his head. "Unless of course, one of us falls in love with someone."
That had been the agreement and for years, Hermione enjoyed the benefits of having a fake long-term relationship. It kept most of the boys off her back and Hermione was happy to be able to concentrate on other priorities instead. Yet seeing just how happy Viktor Krum was, Hermione couldn't help but smile at her Bulgarian friend.
"I'm really happy for you, Viktor," Hermione said as she beamed at the Quidditch superstar. Though she was really happy for him, a part of her felt a little jealous that Viktor had managed to find someone he truly loved before she did. She had been distracted by other things though, Hermione reminded herself as she listened to Viktor gush about Elena.
"I'm together with my best friend." Viktor sighed while never dropping his smile. "I hope that one day, you will find someone who loves you, Hermy-own-ninny, like me and Elena. Who knows? Maybe you might even fall for Harry or Ron."
Hermione gave a laugh before shaking her head. "Maybe. But what if something goes wrong and I lose one of them? I can't see myself not being friends with either one of them."
"That is possible," Viktor said as he smiled at Hermione. "But sometimes, it's worth the risk. Sometimes, the people who we are supposed to be with are the ones who were right there all along."
"Hermione?" Harry said as Hermione shook herself out from her thoughts. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Hermione said as she smiled at Harry. She never noticed it before but there was something quite unique about Harry's eyes as she stared into those deep pools of emerald green. It was only when she realised that Harry was staring at her blankly did she shake herself out of her thoughts.
"So, you sure Ron's going to be okay?"
"Trust me, Hermione," Harry said as they entered the classroom. "Tracey isn't Ron's type." As Professor Burbage started her lesson on Muggle Studies, Harry took a moment to stare at Hermione. He loved the way she looked, her eyes focused on the teacher while she bit her lips and copied down notes. As Harry continued to gaze at Hermione, his thoughts turned to a year ago when he first confessed his feelings to Ron.
…
Sixth year
"Where's Hermione?" Harry asked as he and Ron left the Quidditch locker room.
"Probably writing a letter to Krum," Ron replied as he rolled his eyes. "Still can't believe they're dating. It's not like he's her type or anything."
"How would you know?" Harry asked as Ron shrugged his shoulders.
"I just do. Krum's just a peacock and he's all about Quidditch, mate. Trust me, they won't last."
"You think so?" Harry asked, praying that he didn't sound too hopeful.
"Trust me. They'll break it off before we graduate." Ron said as the pair entered the Great Hall. Harry could see Lavender smiling at the corner as she waved at Ron.
"Looks like Lavender has a thing for you," Harry said as Ron sighed.
"You know, normally I would be into it, mate. Just that, she's not my type."
"Oh, what's your type then?"
"I'm not telling you."
"Ron, come on."
"Fine, I'll tell you but only if you tell me yours first," Ron said as he nudged Harry.
"Fine!" Harry said as he looked around them to see if anyone was eavesdropping. "There's this girl that I like but it didn't start that way. It's just that we've been spending a lot of time together and like a year ago, I start to notice things about her. Like the way she smiles. The way she laughs. Even the way she scolds me. And when I notice her, I get this powerful feeling inside me, like something rising in my chest and I feel this sense of wonder and joy and all I want to do is tell her how good she makes me feel."
"Bloody hell, mate, I think you got it bad for her."
"There's only one problem," Harry said as Ron looked at him curiously. "She has a boyfriend overseas."
"A boyfriend overseas? But the only person I know that has one is…oh…OH!" Ron cried as his eyes widened with realisation. "You like Hermione?!"
"Shhhhh," Harry said as he checked around before turning to smile at Ron. "Yes."
Harry could see Ron trying to process the information, his face tightened to a frown as he looked deep in thought.
"Ron? Mate? You're okay?"
"What…yeah, yeah…I'm okay. I'm good." Ron said as sincerely as he could though Harry remained unconvinced. Ron stared at him for the longest time before giving a resigned sigh.
"I'm happy for you, mate," Ron replied as a familiar voice called out to them. Both boys turned to see Hermione walking towards them, with a big smile on her face.
"You really like her, huh?" Ron whispered as Harry stared at the brown-haired witch walking towards them. He could feel butterflies fluttering in his chest as Hermione approached, her hair in a neat ponytail as she smiled at him with the cutest pair of lips he had ever seen. He could hear his heart thumping in his chest as with each step she took towards him, Harry felt a mixture of nervousness and bliss all rolled into one.
For most of his life, Harry felt fortunate for many things. From having two loving parents and the two best friends anyone could ask for, Harry's life had been quite the rollercoaster ride. He had endured a Death Eater attack on his life together with other issues like Professor Umbridge coming in to teach and yet, he had managed to endure all that and come out the better for it. Like Albus Dumbledore once said to him, the best way to live your life is not by measuring the number of breaths you take each moment but by the moments that take your breath away. Like the time Harry first became a Seeker. Or the first time he caught the Snitch. Or the time his house won both the Quidditch and House Cup. Winning challenges in the Triwizard Tournament. Or being made House Captain and Prefect. All those moments brought such joy to Harry that he could not think of a better way to describe his life other than perfect.
Or almost perfect.
"Yes, Ron. I do." Harry whispered as he felt all of his breath escaping from his lungs.
…..