Chapter 24 – Tale of Two Kisses
"Finally you'll be able to tell Dumbledore about the locket." I told Harry. Tonight, Harry has a class with Dumbledore.
"About that…I was thinking maybe I shouldn't tell him now." Harry sounded unsure.
"What do you mean?" Ron asked him.
"I want to tell him after I understand the point in our lessons. I don't understand what we are achieving by looking through memories."
"There's a obviously a reason or else Dumbledore wouldn't have wasted time to collect theses memories. Sometimes extra information helps." H said.
"I agree to that. Thanks to the extra information H collected over the years, we are alive here." I nudged her playfully.
"Or else we probably would have died in the Devil's snare in the first year." Ron shuddered.
"Only if the troll hadn't killed us first on Halloween." Harry said.
"Ya, if H hadn't given you a crash course on 'Wingardium Leviosa', the troll would have pummelled us to death with his club." I added.
"Like I can't cast a simple charm!" Ron said grumpily.
"Now you can." Harry reassured him.
Ron was about say something but Lavender and Parvati came into the common room and looked at him and giggled at him. Lavender waved at Ron. Ron looked confused but waved back, which lead to another round of giggles. H glared at Ron. I buried my face in Harry chest and laughed quietly. Harry laughed quietly into my hair.
After a quick kiss, Harry said, "I'll see you guys later." He squeezed my hand gently and left.
"Where are you off to?" H asked me.
"Going for a walk."
"Why do you want to go for a walk now?" Ron asked.
Think fast, Nat. "After all the homework, I need some fresh air."
Ron nodded and let it go but H gave me a sharp look. I'll have to tell her what I'm up to.
In the past few days, when I checked the map, I couldn't find Draco. He was not in the school. He was not anywhere in the school. Not in the Slytherin dungeons. Not in the library. Not in detention. How can somebody just disappear from the school? We can't apparate in and out of the school.
"I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good." I pointed my wand to the empty parchment. I was outside the Gryffindor tower. I, first, checked for Draco. I couldn't find him anywhere. So, I decided to look for Crabbe or Goyle. I found Goyle on a deserted corridor. I decided to take a shortcut to the corridor.
When I got to the corridor, instead of Goyle, I saw a first or a second year girl. I looked back at the map to check if I'm on the right corridor. To my surprise, I found Goyle's name at the exact same place where the girl was standing.
What the hell is happening here? Maybe the map is broken. Maybe some the magic of the map was beginning to wear off. Disappointed, I decided to go back to the Gryffindor tower and wait for Harry's return. Why would a little girl be standing on a deserted corridor?
I was looking the map, waiting for Draco to reappear on the map, no success. On the map, I saw the dot labelled Harry Potter right outside the portrait hole. I tapped the map and said, "Mischief managed." The parchment went blank just as Harry entered the common room.
"Hi, I didn't expect you to wait up for me." Harry said as soon as he saw me. He sat next to me on the floor and kissed me.
"I was just finishing homework. And I wanted to know about the lesson with Dumbledore. I knew you'd be excited to tell me."
"You know me so well." He kissed me again. He began to tell me about his lesson tonight. He told me that Merope Gaunt sort of went into depression after Tom Riddle Sr. left her. She sold her locket to Borgin & Burkes store. He told me about Dumbledore meeting the young Tom Riddle Jr. for the first time.
I sighed after hearing it all.
"What?" Harry asked.
"I just…I can't help but feel a bit sorry, a bit sad for him."
"For Voldemort?" He asked me incredulously.
"Ya."
"How can you feel sorry for him? He killed my parents. So many other people are dead because of him. He has ruined the lives of so many people." He sounded agitated.
"I know. And I dislike him for all that he has done. But just imagine…imagine his mother had survived and been there for him maybe he could have been someone else. He could have been a better man. I also feel very bad for Voldemort's mother."
"Why would you feel bad for her?" He was still a bit miffed.
"All her life she wanted to be treated properly, treated like a person. She almost didn't exist for her father and brother. The man she fell in love with, left her. Yes, I'm not a fan of using love potions to lure men but I understand her desperation."
"There's no point in wondering what could have been, Nat." Harry was staring hard at the floor.
"I guess."
"We could think all we want about what could have been but it'll never happen. If his mother was alive maybe he would turned out to be a different person and my parents would still be here. My family would still be alive." A few tears escaped his eyes.
I hugged him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." I wiped his eyes.
"You didn't upset me. It just caught me off guard."
"Harry, you have a family. H, Ron and I are your family. You'll always have us." I pecked him on his cheek.
He smiled a little. He put his hand around me and pulled my closer but he stared hard the fire lost in his thoughts. I could tell he was thinking about my observation on Voldemort's life. I put my head on his shoulder and let him have his moment of silence.
Harry told H and Ron everything he told me the night before.
"Wow, the boy 'You-Know-Who' sounds just as scary as his older self." Ron said.
"This is pretty exciting. Knowing about Voldemort. The more information you have the more advantage you have. I wonder what Dumbledore will show you next." H said.
"Before I forget, Harry, Slughorn's hosting a Christmas party and absolutely wants you to come."
"I dunno. I don't want to attend Slughorn's party." Harry said.
"I supposed this is only for the 'Slug Club'." Ron said with an edge in his voice.
"Yes." H said. "We are allowed to brings guests."
"I'm sure you're going with McLaggen." Ron said bitterly.
"I was going to ask you but if you want me to go with McLaggen well then…" H smirked at him.
"You were?"
H nodded. Ron didn't say anything after that.
"There are more important things than a party. Right now, I'm worried about the team. The opening match is so close and we're still not sure if Katie's going to make it back in time." Harry said morosely.
"Did Dumbledore tell you anything about her?" I asked.
"She is recovering slowly. He's getting hourly reports from St. Mungo's." Harry told us.
"I'm sure things will be fine." I told him. "She'll come back before you know it."
"I hope she does." He said rather dejectedly.
As it turned out, Katie was not coming back anytime soon.
A week before the match Harry looked like he would break apart.
"Harry, sweety, I don't mean to be rude but you're looking miserable." I said one day.
"I don't know what to do. I planned everything so meticulously. I don't want to lose the opening match."
"Well, you can start with finding a new chaser. Then you can take it from there." I suggested.
"Nat, join the team please." He asked desperately.
Had it been someone else Harry would not have let him or her know that he is feeling this vulnerable.
"Do you think I'll be able to handle the pressure?" I asked. I don't want to let Harry down, this means a lot to him.
"You'll be great." He said with as much confidence he could muster.
"How about I sleep on it?" I asked nervously.
"We have a practice scheduled for tonight, join us. You were better than most of the people who tried out. I cannot bear to hold another try-out."
Reluctantly, I agreed.
I went down to the pitch with Harry and Ron. Not everyone was happy about me being Katie's replacement. All day, Harry got nasty comments from a lot of people saying that he got his girlfriend on the team. Lots of pressure on me. It's even more important to win the match, at least for Harry.
"Don't be nervous. I know you'll be great." Harry whispered to me before the team took off on their brooms. I smiled and took off behind Ginny and Demelza.
Fifteen minutes into practice, it was blatantly apparent that Ginny didn't want me to get a hold of the quaffle. Every time, Demelza tried to pass the quaffle to me, Ginny swooped in front of me and took it. Honestly, I was expecting something like this but the rest of team were surprised. Harry called for a time-out.
"Ginny, what's going on? Why are you blocking the quaffle from your own teammate?"
"She's just not quick enough." She replied haughtily.
"I would be, but I was too busy not to dash into you." I told her.
"You can't talk like that with me." She got in my face.
"Back up, Ginny." Harry said. "This is not the way I planned it. You will follow the strategy we discussed. Please don't stray from the plan. The three of you have to work together whether you like it or not."
I opened my mouth to say something but I stopped. Harry is right I need to put everything behind me and concentrate on the match.
"Nat, please. I know you can do this. Don't lose your nerve." Harry said. I nodded at him. We all took off for another round of practice.
The next few days were exhausting. Ginny, Demelza and I were working much better. Demelza and I worked better together. Ginny had this tendency to make it look like she was in charge of the chasers. Jimmy and Ritchie, the beaters, worked well. I don't even have to mention that Harry was awesome. The only problem member of the team was Ron. He was not able to stop the quaffle like he did during the try-outs. While trying to save a goal, instead of stopping the quaffle, he ended up punching Demelza.
"Ron! What have you done?" Ginny bellowed at him.
"I'm sorry, Demelza. I was trying to save the goal and…"
"Save it Ron! Look at her. She's shaken up, you prat." Ginny screamed at him.
"I'm really sorry."
"You broke her nose!"
"I can fix it." Harry said. He looked mildly amused. He pointed his wand on Demelza's nose, "Episkey." Demelza's nose healed.
"Thanks, Harry." Demelza blushed as she said it.
"No problem. I think we should stop now. Good practice everyone! I know we'll beat Slytherin tomorrow." He said cheerfully.
The team murmured their assent and made their way towards the changing room. Harry and I tried to lift Ron's spirit. But we were not successful. After changing, we took a short route to the tower.
I noticed something else during the practices. It disturbed me a little. There were times I saw Harry look at Ginny like she was the only person in the world. I decided to talk to him after the match.
When we were near the tower, we heard some noises from one of the alcoves. We looked and we saw Ginny and Dean making out. Ron looked like he was going to hex Dean from the face of Earth. Harry looked angry as well. Why would he be angry?
"Hey!"
They broke apart. Ron stared angrily. Ginny stared back. Harry was angry. Dean and I looked uncomfortable.
"What?" Ginny broke the silence.
"I don't want you to be snogging people in public!" Ron shouted. I wished he hadn't said that.
"This corridor was fairly deserted until the three of you came here." Ginny said equally angrily.
"Ginny, let's go back to the common room." Dean butted in.
"You go. I want to chat with my dear brother." Her voice was loaded with sarcasm.
"Harry, I think we should go as well." I told him. I didn't want to be a part of a family feud. He looked at me. His eyes filled with confusion. "We should let them talk."
He didn't show any signs of movement. I took his hand and pulled him. When we got to the portrait entrance, Harry pulled his hand from mine and said, "Why did you pull me off from there?"
"Harry, they needed to have this conversation by themselves. Trust me, it's better this way."
"I really can't believe that Dean would do something like that." He said angrily.
"Do what? Make out with his girlfriend? What's wrong with that? You kiss me a lot. So, it's supposed to be wrong?"
"No. But this is Ginny we are talking about. She's Ron's sister. I like…umm…I like the way she plays Quidditch. She's a valuable player for the team."
I didn't miss that pause. "I honestly don't see why you're reacting this way. This is way too much concern for a captain. Dilligrout." The portrait door opened and I went in before Harry could say anything.
I went down for breakfast before most people even got up. I felt very nervous. Since breakfast was not ready by then. So, I pulled out a novel from my bag and began reading. Though, I was reading the words on the page, I wasn't able to register the words. My mind kept going back to the way Harry has been looking at Ginny lately, how he wanted her to join us on a couple of occasions and his reaction to Dean kissing Ginny. Maybe, I'm seeing too much into this.
"Focus, focus, Nat! You can think about all this after the match." I told myself. I tried to read the book again.
People started trickling into the Great Hall. Soon, breakfast appeared on the table. I put some eggs on my plate and shoved them down my throat. Harry and Ron sat in front of me.
"Good Morning." Harry said brightly.
"Morning." I said blandly.
Then H sat next to me. Harry was coaxing Ron to drink something. When he finally agreed to drink some Pumpkin Juice, H said sharply, "Ron, don't drink that!"
"Why not?" Ron asked.
"Harry put something in it." She said.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Harry said innocently.
"I know you did Harry James Potter. Ron, don't drink it."
"Hermione, you can't always tell me what to do." Ron said and drank the juice.
H whispered something to Harry warningly but he just looked at her innocently.
"Time to go." Harry said.
"Yup." Ron agreed.
On our way to the changing room, Harry walked next to me. "You were right."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I shouldn't have reacted that way. You're absolutely right. I'm sorry."
"Let's talk about this after the match. We've more important things to do than talk about this."
"Okay." He put his hand on the back of my neck and pulled me closer. He rested his forehead on mine. I could tell he's waiting for my permission to kiss me. I nodded slightly. He placed a chaste kiss on my lips. When we pulled apart, Ginny was looking at us. I was not sure if she was angry or sad. Harry let go off my hand a little too quickly and began engaging Ginny in a conversation. What just happened?
Once Madam Hooch signalled for the match to begin and I mounted my broom to get up in the air, I felt really good. All the nervousness, I felt on the ground, disappeared. My only aim was to get the quaffle and score or pass it to Demelza or Ginny. The only disappointing factor in the match - Draco didn't play the match. It was not like Draco to miss a match.
Zacharias Smith from Hufflepuff was commentating. He said horrible things about each of the players but we just kept on playing. He said I got into the team because I was Harry potter's girlfriend and that I didn't have any real skill.
I had just scored my seventh goal when Harry caught the snitch right under Harper's nose. He was Draco's substitute. We won! The Gryffindors cheered and ran into the pitch, while Ginny went and crashed right into Zacharias Smith. The Gryffindors enjoyed that as much as the game.
Following the tradition, there was a party in the common room after the match. Everyone forgot that I'm Harry Potter's girlfriend. Now, I'm one of the best chasers the team's ever had. I didn't let that get into my head though, it takes only one match to change everything. God forbid, if we lost the next match I'll go back to being Harry Potter's girlfriend.
Butterbeer and Firewhiskey were freely flowing in the common room. H was trying desperately to send the under fifth years to their dorms but with little success.
"Loosen up, H." I handed her a shot of firewhiskey.
"Nat, you know I don't drink." She said.
"And I do everyday. Come on, special occasions call for special drinks. We'll do it together." I took a shot glass as well. "Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"I'll drink after you drink. Don't drop it."
She narrowed her eyes at me but had her shot and I had mine. "That's enough for tonight. We'll stick to butterbeer for the rest of the evening." I told her and she nodded at me.
"Let's go dance." She said.
I was waiting for Harry. He was lost in the crowd. Everybody wanted to congratulate him personally have a shot or two with him. "Let's go."
We were dancing to this amazing song by 'Elixir', when Harry and Ron joined us.
"Harry, I didn't think you'd do something like this just for a Quidditch match," H said.
"What are you talking about?" Ron interjected.
"Harry spiked you drink with Felix Felicis." She declared.
"What? When did he do that?" I asked.
"I didn't do it." Harry grinned.
"You did." Ron looked dumbfounded. "That's why I saved almost all the goals."
"No, you only thought I did." He showed us the sealed bottle.
"Oh! Thank god! I was in two minds whether to go and tell Prof. McGonagall about this." H said in relief.
"Harry spiked your drink with Felix Felicis." Ron poorly imitated H's voice. "Look, Hermione, I can save goals without help."
She looked stumped. "I…I didn't mean that."
"Save it, Hermione."
"Ron, you were so good. I knew, you'd be great out there." Lavender joined us.
"Er…thanks." Ron was bashful.
Then she did something unexpected. She wrapped her hands around him and kissed him. At first he looked like he didn't know what to do. Then he wrapped his hands around her and kissed her back. While everyone in the room had decided to cheer the kissing couple, the three was us were stuck for a few seconds.
H ran out of the room. I gave Ron and Lavender a disgusted look and went after H. Harry followed me. I found her in the first classroom I looked into. She was sitting on the teacher's desk with ring of small yellow birds twittering around her head.
How could she manage to conjure the birds at a time like this only she can tell!
"H." I said cautiously.
"Hey Nat, Harry!" She said fake cheerfully.
"The birds are beautiful." Harry said.
"Thanks, I was just practising." She said.
"H, talk to me. Do you want me to break his head?"
"No. Let him enjoy the celebrations." A few tears fell from her eyes.
I went and hugged her. Harry joined in a few seconds later. We heard giggling outside. Lavender came in pulling Ron behind her.
"Oops! Looks like this room is taken." She said and started to leave the room.
Ron stayed. "I was wondering where you guys were."
H walked towards Ron and said coldly, "You shouldn't keep Lavender waiting. She'll wonder where you've gone off to." And walked towards the class door. Ron sighed in relief. I wish he hadn't because she sounded very dangerous.
"Oppugno!" She yelled. The birds twittering around her head suddenly changed course and turned towards Ron. When the birds got to Ron they started attacking him.
Ron shouted and yelled. Harry and I stood watching. I was too angry and Harry was too shocked to stop the birds. But now we know not to get on H's bad side.
Please read and review! Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think!
Enjoy! Neepa...:-)
