"Harry!" The dark haired young man in question glanced up from the book on Occlumency to see Hermione and Ron standing in the doorway to the compartment, looking at him surprised.
He snapped his book shut. "Hedwig." He said softly but firmly, brokering no arguments. He would have his owl back.
"What's this about? We hardly head from you all summer and the first thing you do is demand stuff from us?" Ron butted in. "No 'Hey, how you doing? Congratulations on being made prefect'?"
Once, Harry may have blown up at them. Ranted and raved and yelled until everyone on the train could hear. Instead, Harry slowly stood up, setting his book to the side. "First, Hedwig is my owl and you two had no right to keep her." Harry said. He had been working very hard at keeping his volatile emotions under control.
"But Professor Dumbledore-" Hermione began
"Don't matter in this. She is my owl, and very important to me. She will be returned before I leave this train." Harry cut in sharply, still keeping a softer tone of voice. He had to keep a handle on his emotions. He saw Ron's jaw clenching and it told Harry that Ron was about to explode.
"Second, both of you could have contacted me through the summer instead of leaving me in the dark to fumble my way around in. I am very lucky to have made it through the trial this summer, and make no mistake about it; it was a trial. It was not Dumbledore that kept me from being expelled, regardless of what either of you might have been told."
"We wanted to tell you, we did." Hermione said, trying to plead their case.
Harry shook his head. "But you didn't. I'm... Upset but not angry." Harry said. "I just want Hedwig back right now."
"Well, I'm sure we can tell you a few things right now but..." Hermione cast a sideways glance to the Millicent, even if she didn't recognize the bigger girl.
Harry cast a sideways glance to his girlfriend and smiled brightly. "Do you want to tell them or should I?" he asked her.
"It would probably be better to come from you. If I tell them, they won't believe me, or worse I used potions on you." Millicent used the words in an uninterested tone as she continued working through a word search book
"You know, they might not believe me and still might believe you used potions on me." Harry said a little amused. He knew Millicent had some choice words regarding his friends, and given the past summer black out and theft of his beloved owl, he was inclined to agree at least a little bit.
"Except you're capable of throwing off the Imperius Curse, which is stronger than any given potion or spell when it comes to human control." Millicent pointed out politely.
"I suppose so." Harry said with a bit of a shrug. "They might think you're a bad influence."
This got a laugh out of Millicent as well as a beaming smile. "Now that, I won't even try to argue. I am a bad influence on you." she said. "Just in a good way."
"Harry?" Hermione asked hesitantly, clearly confused.
"Not so nice having an information black out, is it?" Harry asked a little sharply. He wouldn't even apologize for it. He straightened his shoulders and lifted his chin. He would not let them dictate his happiness. "Ron, Hermione, this is my girlfriend, Millicent Bullstrode." Harry said the words happily and proudly.
Hermione and Ron looked dumb founded and more than a little confused. On the usually brilliant Hermione, the look of confusion was almost comically out of place.
Millicent stood up. With her dark haired pulled back, her face was on full display. While having a broader jaw than what would be considered feminine, she was still a very beautiful young woman. "A pleasure to finally meet you both finally. Harry's told me a lot about the both of you, and I would like to say thank you for being there for him when he needed you, mostly." Millicent said pleasantly.
"Mostly?" Hermione and Ron parroted at the same time.
Millicent's blue eyes turned sharp. "Yes, mostly. You've both acted like scared children from what I've seen. This past summer being the most recent example. Harry wrote to me shortly after the Dementor attack and my dad and I went and picked him up immediately the next day. What did you two do? Told him nothing. When he was on trial, it was my dad that helped him out. Gave him tips to get through it. Even got Harry recognized as an adult. You two offered nothing." Millicent said heatedly, clenching her fists.
"And where have you been, huh?" Ron asked. "Where were you during the Philosopher's Stone incident? Or how about the Chamber of Secrets stuff?" Ron asked. He looked to Harry. "Harry, mate, you can't be believing this tripe that she's selling. She's a Slytherin, one of You-Know-Who's supporters."
"How dare you!?" Millicent roared out angrily. "This is the exact shite that kept me away. Your bigotry to anything not Gryffindor Golden. It's the same shite Malfoy shovels!"
"Enough!" Harry shouted out. "Arguing isn't going to change a thing."
"I'm nothing like Malfoy!" Ron shouted. His wand flicked out.
"Same cloth, different color." Millicent said angrily, her wand coming out as well.
Harry saw them both raised. With reflexes born from the past years of Seeker training and fighting for his very life, Harry reacted. He stepped back into Millicent, using his left hand to grab Millicent's right wrist, aiming her wrist down to the floor. They were close, like they were dancing a tango. Harry's right hand held his wand, aimed at Ron's chest.
"Enough." he said in a softer but firmer tone. "I didn't want you two to fight.
"Millie, I know you don't necessarily like them, but they are my friends. Drawing a wand on them wasn't the best idea." Harry's tone was softer, not as firm and unyielding. "You've been an amazing friend and a wonderful girlfriend in the short time we've been together." He lightly kissed her cheek.
"Ron, drawing your wand on my girlfriend is not a good thing to do when I'm already upset with you both. You've been a good friend and your closeness has kept the fan girls at bay. But you've also kept other potentially good friends away with your attitude as well. We just barely made friends with Hermione because of your actions. I'm happy with Millie, and I'm not going to change that because you don't like my choice in girlfriend."
"What about Ginny?" Ron asked. His wand lowered, but wasn't put away.
"What about Ginny?" Harry asked. "She can't even be in the same room as me to talk with me to form any real friendship. She's always a mess whenever I give her any attention. And, Ron, you're my best mate. I'm not going to ask your sister out, ever. That breaks more than a few unspoken rules of being friends."
"Hermione, back me up here." Ron said, turning to the third of their trio.
Hermione shook her head. "Not a chance Ron. Go get Hedwig from the luggage. I want to have a private talk with Harry and Millicent." Hermione said.
"But-"
"Go, Ronald." Hermione said sharply.
Ron grumbled as he walked off. It was clear he didn't like being dismissed.
Hermione carefully sat down on the other side of the compartment, holding her hands out to show she wasn't armed. She cleared her throat after a moment and soon Harry and Millicent both sat down, sitting close to one another that told Hermione that Harry was quite serious about them being an item. "Well… first, I'd like to say congratulations." She said. "It's an unexpected surprise, but a pleasant one nonetheless." She offered with a slight smile.
Millicent smiled brilliantly and slipped her arms through Harry's arm and snuggled against him a bit. "Okay, I admit, you were right." She told Harry playfully as she kissed his cheek.
"So... How exactly did this happen?" Hermione asked, motioning to the couple across from her.
"Well, with the problems between the houses, the prejudice between both Malfoy and Weasley, I sorta hung back. And I just let myself get that horrid reputation, some even saying I'm part troll, but I've always been very comfortable with my beauty and physique.
"Well, with the Yule Ball last year, I decided to show off and see if I couldn't at least talk to Harry. I knew that was the first step of any relationship, to talk to him. It took a lot of courage to do that." Millicent admitted. "He looked so handsome last year, I kept getting flutters in my stomach."
Millicent turned to Harry with a happy smile. "And we just started to write back and forth, I didn't pry, or tried not to. He opened himself up to me and I like to think I opened up to him."
"And when Millie and Boris, her father, came and got me after the Dementor attack, I decided to make it official." Harry admitted. "We're both new to relationships and all, but we're learning and Millie is fun." Harry said. "I even got permission from Boris to date Millie. I'm hoping this year will be... Somewhat normal. Doubtful, but what can I do?" Harry shrugged his shoulders.
Just then, Ron returned still scowling. He set Hedwig in a cage on the seat. "I'm going to sit with Ginny and Neville." he turned and stomped off.
Hermione pursed her lips. "I'll go after him." she said as she stood up. "A pleasure to meet you Millicent." Hermione inclined her head before going after Ron.
Harry sighed and gently took Millicent's hand. "He'll come around." he said.
"Perhaps." Millicent said softly, not bothering to hide how skeptic she was of that.
The rest of the train ride was done in relative silence. Even Malfoy's almost annual visit never happened. That was fine for Harry, it allowed him to spend more time with Millicent.
In time, the pair went to the carriages together. Harry paused at the sight of the skeletal horse like creature that stood in front of it. "What in the world? When did these start pulling the carriages?" he whispered. He moved towards it slowly.
"Harry?" Millicent asked. "There's nothing there." she moved to stand beside him, tilting her head.
Harry took her hand by the wrist and raised it up. He put her hand upon the creature's side, watching both her and it. Her surprised jump told him she felt it. He watched her fingers splay out and began to stroke over the ribs where her hand was.
"Woah." Millicent said, slightly in awe. It was disconcerting to feel something but not see it. "I wonder what it is." she said softly.
"A mystery for another time." Harry said.
They loaded into the carriage and rode it up to the castle. Millicent kissed his cheek before they entered the Great Hall, and promised to sit with him when she could.
-Scene Break-
Millicent got dressed in the Girls' dorm before everyone else. She also attached a little bit of personal insurance that would help deter idiots from trying something against her. As she left the bathroom to the dorm, she noticed Daphne about ready to leave. "Greengrass, a moment if you don't mind." Millicent said.
She watched the smaller blonde girl turn. Daphne Greengrass was the epitome of a sort of Princess like beauty. Long blonde hair that fell to her waist, and sparkling blue eyes like sapphires. She was tiny, even at fifteen she only stood five foot with petite curves. Those eyes narrowed at Millicent and she nodded. "Of course Bullstrode."
Millicent watched the other girl as she stood by her own bed. "Despite my change in personal appearance, I'm still going to act as your enforcer within our House. I'll offer advice a little more, but defer to your judgement on most everything." The same terms that they had since their First Year. "However,"
Daphne's eyes narrowed more and she watched the bigger girl. Millicent noticed her palming her wand. "However?" she repeated
"Harry Potter is off limits." Millicent said firmly. "Scheme against me all you please, I know you have contingency plans against me and Davis. But Potter is off limits. If I get an inkling of a plan against him, from you, and I will break you." Millicent said.
Her own eyes sharpened, turned hardened. "Should you be the cause of something bad happening to him, and I will break you, your sister, and Davis and not in that Order. Harry Potter is off limits." Millicent palmed her own weapon and drew it out. It was a ceremonial silver Orcish axe that was intended for using with one hand. "And if you think I won't be capable of backing up my claim on him," Millicent swung her axe as hard as she could and cleaved into one of the posts for her four poster bed, almost through it even
Daphne was openly pointing her wand at Millicent now. Millicent tucked the hand axe away in its spot, showing she would be armed that year. And she was dangerous with her axe, her mother had ensured that. "Do we have an understanding Greengrass?"
Millicent could see the anger in the petite frame of Daphne. She also knew that Daphne was a hell of a witch capable of powerful spells that her small frame wouldn't normally associate with. "Crystal Bullstrode." She said tightly.
It was after all quite simple. Daphne didn't mess with Millicent's loved ones, Daphne's loved ones were safe.
Millicent offered a brilliant smile like she hadn't threatened bodily harm to the blonde. "Excellent. See you around." She said as she gathered her bag and headed out of the Dorms. She was going to sit with Harry at Breakfast.
She met Harry at the entrance for the Great Hall and pecked his cheek. She smiled when he took her hand freely. They walked in and sat quite calmly at the end of the Gryffindor Table. She had noted over the years that he preferred sitting towards door instead of the middle of the table.
There was some murmurs coming from around them but they politely ignored it while they gathered things for a hearty and healthy breakfast. She tried to be a good influence on Harry. She noted that Ron adamantly refused to sit by them, and Hermione offered a greeting before heading to sit with her usual crowd.
Breakfast actually managed to go off mostly without a hitch. When McGonagall passed out the schedules, she seemed just a little surprised but didn't say anything.
The only hitch came from Snape when he was handing out the schedules.
"Ms. Bullstrode, might I ask what you are doing?" Snape's displeasure shone through n spades.
Millicent offered a brilliant and condescending smile. "Sitting with my boyfriend." She gladly leaned into Harry. She just knew it would piss Snape off.
Best yet, Harry leaned against her in return and smiled at Snape.
Snape sneered a little bit. "I fully expected better of you, Ms. Bullstrode. But if you wish to stand by a mediocre dunderhead, that is your choice. But I fully expect you to be sitting at the Slytherin table from now on, or you will be serving detentions with me."
"On what grounds?" Millicent asked pleasantly.
Snape looked taken aback by the question. Very few students, even in his own House attempted to talk back to him. "For sitting at another House's table, and I'll see you Friday for another detention for talking back."
Millicent was about to open her mouth.
"You can't." Harry said pleasantly. "According to the Hogwarts Rule Book, any student may sit at any House table, so long as the students are at their own table for the opening Feast and leaving Feast."
Snape looked absolutely murderous. But he turned and stalked off. "The Friday detention stands, Bullstrode." he barked.
Millicent turned to look at Harry. "How did you know that sweetie?"
Harry shrugged. "Over the summer while I was at your home alone, I picked up your copy of the rule book and started to look through it. I'm not sure what all I can get away with, but I have a better knowledge now of what Snape can do. Bet you anything Snape goes to Dumbledore though."
Millicent nodded. "No doubt. I'll get a copy of the Rule Book and take a look through myself. I'll also mark that passage. No way will the Headmaster or any of the teachers run over us this year. We're supposed to be learning here and it's O.W.L. year.
"What did you think of that Umbridge person?" Millicent asked, glancing up the staff table to the woman in pink that looked like a toad.
"Ministry Toady." Harry said. "She was at my trial, and your father ripped into her. She's like… Senior Undersecretary to the Minister or something. She has to be here to watch Dumbledore and myself. Probably try and catch us doing something 'incriminating.'" He made finger quotes.
Millicent smiled brightly. She couldn't help it. "Your lessons with Daddy have been paying off."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, and I know to not talk about the stuff at the end of last year." He said. He had to keep from sounding like a raving lunatic. He had attempted to tell people the truth, it was up to them to hear it though. It didn't mean he had to keep attempting.
-Scene Break-
They were dreading it all week. They had heard of the malarkey that was Defense Against the Dark Arts, but no one seemed to be telling the others about what it supposedly was. Anyone could tell though, that with Umbridge it was likely to be horrible.
Harry and Millicent sat side by side in the middle of the class, looking towards the black board. When the woman came out and said good afternoon, Harry and Millicent both said Good Afternoon in return in a firm voice.
Not that it did them any good when the Professor had them repeat it.
Millicent had to grab Harry's clenching fist when Umbridge went to insult their past teachers and the curriculums they had taught. They copied the course aims down, but Millicent mulled them over for a while. While Umbridge told them to begin reading, she raised her hand and didn't even open her book.
Harry was quite surprised to see this. Millicent was trained as a warrior, to have her mind and body at its best at all times. This include two hours of every day where she did nothing but rest. Two more hours were assigned to training her mind. She read with a fervor that would match Hermione's.
"Yes Ms. -?" Umbridge asked sweetly. "Do you have a question regarding the reading?"
"Bullstrode, Millicent Bullstrode." Millicent said and rose to her feet. "I don't have a question regarding the reading, but instead about the course aims. There's nothing about practicing Defensive Magic, Ma'am."
Harry recognized Boris' training in the way Millicent held herself. Command attention, be respectful even if the person wasn't worth respect. Do not be meek, do not shy away from speaking. Speak strongly and clearly.
And with Millicent's height, she could command attention,
Umbridge actually laughed. "Practicing Defensive Magic? Surely you don't expect to be attacked in my classroom, Ms. Bullstrode." She said it in a condescending way. Like Millicent was a young child instead of a fifteen year old young woman.
And it pissed Millicent off.
"Your classroom? Maybe. The halls of Hogwarts? Maybe. My dorm? Maybe. We are teenagers after all, and teenagers can be quite petty. Outside of Hogwarts? Do I expect to be attacked? Heh. My father helps put away the sort of men that do attack others. Rapists, murderers, muggers, society isn't some lily-white thing that's rainbows and sunshine. If it was… My father would be out of a job." Millicent said. "So yes, I expect to practice defensive Magic in Defense Against the Dark Arts. What of the people that wish to be Curse-Breakers? Write books on other cultures and have to travel to those lands? What of the people that want to become Aurors? All of them are professions that need the practical applications of Defense Against the Dark Arts, and as the Professor of the Course, Ma'am, you are to teach us."
"Witches and Wizards far cleverer and older than you, Ms. Bullstrode, have devised this curriculum to ensure that you will be learning plenty to pass your Examinations." Umbridge said, a sickly sweet smile on her face. "The purpose of this school is to learn after all."
"So, we will not be practicing Defensive Magic in the classroom?" Millicent clarified.
"Allow me to put it clearly. No." Umbridge said. "Please return to your seat, Ms. Bullstrode."
"Then allow me to offer a bit of advice, Ma'am." Millicent said, still standing. "In accordance to the Hogwarts Charter inside the Rule Book available to any student upon request, paragraph nine on line five, and I quote, 'No Class shall ever be purely theoretical or practical. All students will have a fair balance and fair chance of being able to learn the class material. Any class that fails to have one or the other will be considered a study time and no student is required to attend.' With that in mind, as this is not a class according to the Hogwarts Charter, I will be taking my leave."
With a flourishing bow to the red faced Umbridge, Millicent gathered her things and began to head for the door. Harry was quick to follow her example and he quickly caught up to her as she stalked through the halls. "Millie, how did you know that?" Harry asked.
Millicent smiled brightly. "Daddy had me memorize the Hogwarts Charter in its entirety. It's only about two pages, but it's in every copy of the Hogwarts Rule Book. I want to be a Lawyer like him actually, and he told me it's something that his father made him do."
"So… Binns…" Harry said, thinking about it. He always wondered why each class seemed to have theoretical and practical, even Astronomy.
"Sweetie, I haven't gone to Binns' class since First Year." Millicent said with a smile. "I just take a test over the summer and I get an O in the class."
Harry decided that he wasn't going to Binns' class ever again. The ghost was awfully dull. "So what are we going to do about Defense?" He asked.
Millicent slipped her arm through Harry's. She felt him stiffen a bit, but he soon relaxed. She kissed his cheek. "I wouldn't mind learning from you Sweetie, but, and no offense, I don't think you could convey the theory behind it all. And O.W.L. tests are very peculiar about the How's and Why's."
They both lapsed into silence, thinking about who they could get. Millicent's mind drifted a little bit. "What about Professor Lupin?" She asked. "He was good, fair, and very knowledgeable."
"Would that be allowed?" Harry asked Millicent. He sounded curious. He would be more than willing to learn from Lupin once more.
"I should think so, despite being outed. Daddy said that Lupin was the epitome of patient back in school, and he was surprised to find out about him being a Were. He was furious that Snape outed Lupin." Millicent said, shaking her head.
Harry nodded. He was sure that Lupin wouldn't mind coming back to teach them. "I'll write him a letter." He said confidently.
Millicent smiled and squeezed Harry's arm. "I'll write to Daddy. Daddy won't mind paying, and since Lupin is going to be a tutor we have to pay for ourselves. And don't take no for an answer." She lightly poked Harry's side.
Harry shook his head. "I won't." He said. He knew Lupin would try to insist on doing it for free, but Harry wouldn't allow it. He knew the Ministry covered the costs of tuition, but he knew his parents would have preferred for him to have a premium education, even if he had to pay quite a bit for it.
"Where should we go?" Millicent asked softly, leaning against Harry some.
"Where I went last year when I needed to be alone." Harry said simply and began to lead the other girl in the direction. He could tell that she was curious, but Harry was going to remain tight lipped about it. Higher and higher they went until they came to a door that Harry opened.
The gusts of wind caused his hair to flutter and Millicent's to wave a bit behind her. "The ramparts?" She asked surprised.
Harry shrugged his shoulders as he walked out. "I would come up here when I wanted to be alone. I doubt just anyone knows how to get up here, but I also doubt Dumbledore didn't know I came up here."
Millicent followed him out, closing the door behind her. She could see where Harry had transfigured a basic path, allowing a clear shot towards one of the unused towers. Inside, she noticed it had a rather comfy, if old, looking lounge chair. Judging by the colors, she guessed it to be an old chair from the Hufflepuff dorms. There was also a trunk, and a work desk. It was a nice little getaway from the rest of Hogwarts.
Harry placed his bag down at the desk and got to work writing out a letter for Lupin. "I'll send it with a school owl tomorrow. I don't want to risk Hedwig and no doubt Umbridge is going to be pissed."
Millicent smiled. "Might also want to write one to Gringotts explaining you will need several draft forms so you can pay Lupin." She moved over to the lounge chair and sat down, kicking off the shoes. She also made short work of removing the tie and letting her hair out of the pony tail.
Harry finished both letters and moved over to sit with his girlfriend. He smiled a little bit when she cuddled closer to him. "This place could use a fire place." He said.
"Mm… You're warm enough, I think." Millicent said and kissed Harry's jaw.
Harry laughed a little bit and slid his hand to hers, squeezing lightly. He enjoyed the bigger girl's company quite a bit.
Millicent turned and looked to her boyfriend. She moved and straddled his waist, clearly surprising him. She smiled and leaned in to kiss his lips softly. "Relax." She whispered. "I won't do anything you don't want to do."
Harry smiled a little bit. She was right. And despite his rather… wretched upbringing, and his fears, he decided to try and lighten his mood a bit. "Isn't that my line?" He asked softly.
Millicent laughed, throwing her head back. She smiled at him and then made quick work of his tie. "You know…" She leaned in and kissed him again. "We've been together for about two months now." She said.
"July and August, yeah." Harry said. "And it's been amazing. You've been amazing." He said.
Millicent smiled brightly. She gently touched his chest through his Hogwarts uniform. She enjoyed the feel of his toned muscles. He was all lean muscle, muscle built for speed instead of strength. He had to be streamlined while he rode his Firebolt after the Snitch.
And if she was honest, his ass looked amazing in his Quidditch uniform when he didn't wear the overcoat.
"I told you that as a part Orc, I'm more… physical." Millicent said softly.
Harry looked quizzical for a moment before a light went off in his mind. "I don't think I'm ready for that yet."
Millicent lightly slapped his chest, even if it would still sting a bit. "Neither am I, goof." She said seriously. "But I would like to do a bit more than kissing and making out." She said.
"Like?" Harry asked cautiously. He wasn't sure how much ready for more he was. How much would be too much for him? His upbringing had made him cautious of all physical touching.
Millicent took his hand away from his chest where it had been rubbing after she slapped him. "Like this." She brought his hand to the swell of her breast. Her breathing hitched a bit and she was glad to see Harry's own breathing hitch.
He didn't move and Millicent lightly rubbed her thumb against his hand. "It's okay sweetie." She whispered. She leaned in and kissed him. "I told you, I like the physical. I like the touching. If it's too much, I won't force you."
Harry looked up to the expressive blue eyes of his girlfriend. He could feel her heart beat. He could feel it racing inside her breast. She was just as scared and worried as he was. And here she was worried about him. His hand slid against the clothed mound. "It's not too much, just… surprising." He whispered. "I… I'm not good with physical touching, give me time." He whispered. "I like it though."
Millicent's smile made it worth it. "I'm glad." She whispered. She pressed her chest against his hand more. "I was honestly worried you wouldn't like them… I know I'm rather gifted in that area, especially for my age. And I've heard how some guys don't like such large…"
Harry reached up and kissed Millicent's lips. "You're rambling." He whispered. "I like them." He gently squeezed, causing her breathing to hitch again and her eyes to widen.
Millicent smiled and took his hand away. She placed his hands instead upon her rear and leaned in to kiss him again. Only this time, the kiss was held and her tongue brushed against his lips.
For the time being, they could forget about a horrid toad of a woman.
-Chapter End-
A/N: So, I gotta say, I've been sitting on most of this for… quite some time. I just typed out the last thousand words in the last half hour and I'm honestly not sure how I feel.
Next chapter will hopefully come sooner, but I need to work out what I want to do in the next chapter.
I got a few reviews about Harry's height, and I have to say this. Genetics are a funny fucking thing. Most of my family is within the 4'10"-5'8" range. I got an uncle, by blood, that's 6'6" and both of his parents, my grandparents, weren't over six feet in height. Just cause Harry's a short shit now, does not mean by the end of puberty he won't be tall.
Rowling never specifies any character's height really. So Harry could be short now, he could be tall later. Just depends how I do things.
