New chapter! My friends Danielle and Brittany have been telling me that I NEED to update quicker or they'll hurt me, and with friends like mine? They'll follow through with their threats. So… Here is my new update! Hurrah!
&HP&
"Sirius…" Harry began slowly, in a low voice. "You have no idea how much I want to kill you right now." He finished with a growl. Then, without taking his eyes from the shocked student practically vibrating with excitement in front of him, he began to back up a bit. He did take his eyes away when most of the class, through the office doors, began to stand up and come closer for better looks.
Harry's ears were being attacked by what seemed like hundreds of voices talking all at the same time. Some of them were talking to him, but with all of the noise he couldn't understand what they were saying. Others were merely gasping and shouting in shock and amazement to one another, or even just to themselves.
He could feel his heartbeat speed up and he knew he was breathing harder. Without another seconds pause he began backing up, trying to put some distance between him and the noise and commotion.
Suddenly Remus was in front of him, holding out his arms and making himself a sort of shield from the frenzying students. Harry hunched behind him, trying to be put even more out of sight, and gripped the back of his robes tightly.
Out of the corner of his eye he say that Alice's natural elf instincts had taken hold automatically when the first student had entered the room. He could sense her back in the hiding spot that they had been in when Remus had entered the office. The hiding spot was incidentally just behind him now, close enough that she was able to rest her hand on his back, comforting him. He reached behind himself and felt Alice grip his hand in return.
Harry knew she was just as scared as he was… Well, not scared exactly, but more like overwhelmed. She was even less accustomed to being around so many people, especially noisy ones. Harry may have only lived three years in the human world, but he still had faint memories of that loud, crowded orphanage full of kids and nuns. He slightly recalled the way that the other children would talk loudly and torment him. He was slightly familiar with such frantic attention all on him. But even with that slight, faint, familiarity, it was making him well past nervous. He could only imagine how this must feel for poor, sheltered Alice. He was only glad she had managed to hide without being noticed.
Remus turned around to face him and Harry met his worried but warm gold eyes. Harry instantly felt calmer as Remus stared at him with a tense smile. His hands rose up to land on his shoulders.
"It's okay, Harry." He whispered, the words somehow making it to Harry's ears over the noise.
Past Remus' shoulder Harry could see Sirius ushering that one first student out the door. He could see Sirius herding the reluctant students further back and he could hear him shouting at them to calm down and back away.
"We're going to have to get you out of here. We would just lock you in here for the rest of the class period but if the students knew you were still in here they wouldn't calm down." Remus told him calmly. "I'm going to help you out into the hall. Sirius will keep them in control, okay?" Harry nodded shakily, trying to ignore the still constant noise outside and the nervousness twisting his gut.
Remus then broke their eye contact to look past him at Alice, still hidden securely. Harry registered him telling her that he would lock the door after him and that the grounds should be empty for her to get back. He didn't pay much attention though; he was looking past Remus' shoulder and out the still open door, where he could see his Godfather trying to gain control of the class.
Then Remus had his attention back on him. He looked him straight in the eye and didn't say anything. He didn't really have to; Harry understood what he was asking.
"Are you ready?"
Harry nodded shakily in reply and took a steadying breath. Remus stood on his left side. Next he wrapped one arm around his shoulder and gripped his upper arm with the other. Then he led them quickly towards and through the office door.
The next moments were a blur. He was aware of Remus' warm presence at his side as he led them at a speed where they were practically running through the loud classroom. He also caught a glance of Sirius standing tall with his arms out, keeping the herd of students back; Harry would have to thank him profusely later on.
Soon enough Harry came back into the present. He was somehow all the way back at the common room Sirius, Remus, and he shared. Remus was standing in front of him, holding his face gently in his hands. He was looking worriedly into his eyes and seemed to have been trying to get his attention.
"Yes?" Harry breathed out, still trying to get his wits about him. Remus let out a loud whoosh of air and pulled Harry close, holding him tightly in his arms.
"Thank Merlin!" He breathed out in a relieved tone. "If you had kept on standing there with that blank look on your face I think I'd have had a nervous fit!" Harry moved his arms to return the hug and leaned his head onto Remus' shoulder.
"Sorry… I was just a bit overwhelmed." He murmured into Remus' robes. He felt the arms around him tighten and the face next to him nuzzle his neck slightly.
"I imagine you were," He began softly. "I'm sorry that had to happen. And just so you know, the students aren't all that bad… They're just a bit…. Overwhelmed as well. I know you don't like to think of it this way, but you were a symbol in the war. When you survived that night years ago, when Voldemort was defeated…
"The knowledge that you had survived was what gave people hope during the war, and when you "died" people felt as if a bit of that hope they had found had died as well. Now that you're alive again… People are so happy. They can't really believe it." Remus explained sadly.
Harry remained silent for a while, not really wanting to do anything but revel in the warmth of the arms around him. He didn't quite know what to say to all of this, he didn't know how to react. Finally he spoke.
"What happened to Alice?" He asked.
"None of the students seemed to spot her, she hid herself before they could see her. So I told her that I'd lock the door after we left and she said she'd sneak out the window, back to the grove." Remus replied. Then he pulled back to look Harry in the eye. "Do you want to go to your room?" He asked.
Harry blushed a bit and smiled slyly at Remus.
"Just what are you suggesting?" He murmured in a low tone, looking at Remus through half-lidded eyes. Remus blushed deeply and began to laugh a bit.
"Oh shush, you!" He admonished. "I was just suggesting you have a lie down; you could use a rest." Harry began to pout, though he was obviously hiding a smile.
"Well that's boring." He sighed out. Remus laughed again and leaned down to peck him on the lips.
"Well excuse me if I'm a bit reluctant to do something that will give Padfoot reason to emasculate me in the most painful way possible." Remus replied, causing Harry to laugh. He grabbed the laughing boy by the hand and began to lead him to the rooms. "Come on, let's get you some rest."
They entered Harry's room and Remus nudged him, encouraging him to lie down. Harry complied willingly and pulled the blanket over himself. Then he looked tiredly up at Remus.
"Will you at least lie down with me?" He asked in a quiet voice. Remus smiled at him.
"I have a class to teach." He reminded Harry.
"But you have another teacher to do that… And I doubt there will be much teaching in that class today. After all, there was quite a ruckus caused by that damn Potter boy." Harry replied cheekily. Remus laughed and climbed into bed and under the covers.
"I suppose I HAVE to stay here. After all, I have to be here to comfort you." Remus mused as he pulled Harry closer.
"Exactly." Harry murmured sleepily, resting his head on Remus' shoulder and getting comfortable in the older man's arms. "I could get used to this." He yawned out before dozing off.
'So could I.' Remus thought to himself, starting to drift off as well.
&HP&
Hermione walked into the great hall for dinner. She dragged her feet slightly even though she usually hated when people did that; I mean it made the most obnoxious scraping noise and who is really so lazy that they can't lift their feet at least half a centimeter? However, at the moment she couldn't care less. She was feeling horrible; how could she do that to Harry? She wouldn't blame him if he never spoke to her again!
Ron was walking next to her and also seemed rather guilty. They were both slowly making a beeline for where Ginny was sitting at the Gryffindor table, picking slightly at her food. She looked up as they sat down next to her and offered them a slightly strained smile.
Hermione thought back to earlier this morning when they had gone to talk to Harry. She couldn't help but smile and blush a bit. She was at least glad that Harry seemed to have gotten up some courage or something. Obviously something had happened that had led to the quite passionate looking snog session they had walked in on between him and Professor Lupin. She also had to admit that she agreed a bit with Ginny; that was indeed VERY hot.
Hermione suddenly glanced up from her plate. The great hall was buzzing with whispered conversation more than it usually was. She tried to listen and caught bits of conversation. Whispered words like "Harry Potter" and "alive". Hermione rolled her eyes; of course they would still be gossiping about poor Harry. She just wished they would drop it, she felt guilty enough without thinking what the public could be spreading around.
Just then Professor Dumbledore stood up at the head table and cleared his throat. As usual, the simple act done by the headmaster quieted down the whole great hall within seconds. Once it was quiet Dumbledore glanced around at the students watching him before speaking.
"I have heard some interesting news from Professor Black a bit before dinner started." He began calmly. This caused Hermione to glance to where Remus and Sirius usually sat; she found both of them mysteriously absent. "According to him there was quite a ruckus caused in one of his Defense Against the Dark Arts classes today." He continued.
The great hall filled once again with frantic whispers. Hermione looked around at her peers urgently, she spotted Ron and Ginny doing the same thing. The hall was silenced when Dumbledore cleared his throat once more.
"Professor Black began class by entering his office to fetch Professor Lupin, and after a while of waiting a student rose and opened to door to see what was taking so long. This was when he noticed that Professors Black and Lupin were not alone in their office." The hall filled with a short but loud buzz of whispered words once more and Hermione got a sinking feeling in her gut.
"Harry Potter was in the office with them." Dumbledore said, confirming Hermione's fear.
She shared a worried look with Ron and Ginny. She expected the whole hall to begin talking again but was surprised to find that the large room was dead silent. She looked around and found that everyone seemed to be holding their breath, wanting desperately to hear more.
"I imagine many of you have heard this news from your fellow students already and I am here to confirm that this is indeed not just a rumor. Harry Potter is indeed alive, as it says in the Daily Prophet, and he is in the castle," Dumbledore told them calmly. Hermione was once again shocked to find the hall remained completely silent. She could see that many students had let out breaths and even a few girls teared up a bit, but no one spoke.
"I have met and spoken with Harry. As it said in the Prophet, Harry was indeed taken from an orphanage by Elves when he was three. He has been raised in the Forbidden Forest by the Elves and he has only recently discovered the belief in our world that he was dead. He has only just discovered that he has a form of family here, his Godfather Sirius Black. Based on these discoveries he has decided to slowly but surely emerge himself back into the wizarding world."
Dumbledore paused at this point. He looked over the crowd once more, this time his eyes firmer than usual. He took on a stern appearance and continued his speech.
"Keep in mind that I have said 'slowly but surely'." He told them. "Mr. Black told me that, earlier today, when his class saw Mr. Potter they went into a bit of a frenzy. I would like to take this moment to remind you all that Mr. Potter wasn't aware of the extent of his fame in this world. He is unused to large groups of people and therefore is easily frightened by the discourse and low levels of self control the students in Professor Black's class have shown." He stated firmly.
Hermione glanced around and found several students, no doubt the ones in the class mentioned, looking rather guilty. She hoped they did feel guilty.
"I will not allow such behavior." Dumbledore told them, keeping his stern tone. "Mr. Potter is not a sideshow attraction and he owes absolutely nothing to any of us. He is a PERSON and he will be treated as such. Now I cannot begin to admonish or control the press. I know they will not view him as a person but rather as the icon they have grown to know him as. There is nothing I can do about them, but I am here to tell you all now that, as your headmaster, I will not tolerate that kind of behavior from my own students. And if that warning is not enough to convince you think of it like this: If you all continue the type of behavior shown in that classroom earlier today Mr. Potter won't have much reason to come fully into the wizarding world." He smiled at them, "With that said, I hope you enjoy the wonderful meal prepared for us!"
With that he sat down and began to do just that. Slowly but surely the hall began to fill with people eating their meals. For the most part everyone was fairly silent, seeming to think carefully about what had been said.
For her part Hermione looked terribly worried. She chewed on her lip and picked at her food. After a few tasteless bites she sighed and sat her fork down. Without bothering to explain she stood up from her seat and began walking from the great hall.
She walked down the empty corridors quickly and with purpose. She slowed a bit when Ron and Ginny jogged up to her side.
"Are you okay?" Ginny asked. Hermione sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"Sort of. I know he's mad at me, but I need to go make sure he's okay." She told them.
"Do you want us to come with you?" Ron asked. For some reason this broke something in Hermione. She stopped dead and turned to face them with a glare on her face.
"No! No I do not, Ronald Weasley!" She shot back bitterly. Ron and Ginny both looked rather shocked and shared a nervous look. "I don't think it's a very good idea considering this is all both of YOUR faults!" She spat out angrily.
"Wait just a second—"Ron began.
"No! You know it's true! You both MADE me tell you! Couldn't you both keep your noses in your own bloody business??" She interrupted angrily. Both Weasleys flinched, knowing that if Hermione was swearing she was VERY angry. They also had to admit that she was right. "And YOU!" She continued furiously, rounding on Ginny. "I thought you were my friend! I thought I could trust you with my secrets but NO! YOU TAKE THE BIGGEST SECRET I'VE EVER TOLD YOU AND USE IT TO BLACKMAIL ME!" She was shouting now, but she couldn't even be bothered to care.
"Hermione! I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me! I was just so worr—"Ginny began only to be interrupted once more.
"No! I don't care how worried you were! I can't believe you would use my bloody crush on Ron against me!" She shouted, causing Ginny's jaw to drop and Ron's eyes to bug out comically. Ginny began to sputter, looking between her fuming friend and her beetroot red brother. Hermione threw her hands in the air angrily. "I'm so furious right now I DON'T EVEN CARE!" And with those final, shouted words she turned on her heel and stormed off in a huff.
Ron and Ginny both stood silently in the empty hall, the furious stomping of their friend's footsteps fading away. After several moments Ron broke the silence.
"She has a crush on me?" He squeaked out. Ginny rolled her eyes and wearily ran a hand over her face,
"Yes, Ron. Everyone has known except you. Everyone has known since your first bloody year." She muttered without much tone. She turned sadly and began to make her slow way back to the Gryffindor common room. She was dragging her feet, trying not to when she remembered how much Hermione hated that.
&HP&
Harry was more warm and comfortable than he ever remembered being. He started to slowly wake up, a slight smile on his face, as he remained curled in the still sleeping werewolf's arms. He suddenly became aware of someone else in the room and sleepily glanced over to see Sirius. He was standing near the door, looking awkwardly irritated, as if he was uncomfortable with their position but didn't feel mean enough to wake them.
"Morning…" Harry yawned to him. Sirius glanced at him and grunted in response, sending the unsuspecting, sleeping wolf daggers with his eyes. "We're just sleeping, we didn't do anything. So don't neuter my boyfriend." Harry murmured tiredly, causing Sirius to smirk a bit.
"Boyfriend?" He asked, suddenly sobering. "Really?" He continued, looking slightly nervous.
This caused Harry to pause. Were they boyfriends? It certainly seemed like that. But the word 'boyfriend' seemed so juvenile. What's the adult word for it? Lover? Well that implied they were already sleeping together and if he implied that to Sirius he doubted there would be much of Remus left to call anything.
After a bit more musing Harry settled on the response of making a content noise and burrowing deeper under the warm covers. Sirius sighed and dropped into the chair next to Harry's desk.
"Do you really have a problem with this?" Harry asked meekly, peeking over the covers nervously. "If you do I'm sorry… I really don't want you to be upset with me… I have to admit I've grown quite fond of you… I mean… I've never REALLY had a father figure. Aeson and Ares have both always been like incredibly close uncles. So… I think as far as the father role… you're pretty much turning into it…" Harry admitted quietly. "I would hate it if I lost all of that because you don't approve of who I fancy."
"Oh, Harry…" Sirius began weakly. "You should know that would never happen. If anything my discomfort with this IS because of the father-son feeling. By the way, you have no idea how happy it makes me that you feel that way."
Harry smiled meekly and pulled himself carefully out of Remus' arms. He sat up fully on the bed and looked at his Godfather carefully.
"What is it really that has you so bothered about this?" He asked solemnly. Sirius sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"Well… There is that thing that I don't like the idea of you snogging or (Merlin forbid) shagging ANYONE. The problem I have with Remus? Well… I guess because he's my best mate. And when it comes to anyone who ends up with you… If I find out that they're not serious about you… or if they end up hurting you, I'm obligated to hate them… but I don't know if I can hate Moony… So I'm torn…" Sirius paused to take a breath, looking almost relived that he had gotten all of that out.
"Well I don't think he'll hurt me." Harry said. Then he carefully got out of bed, trying not to wake his bed partner. "I'm sorry this is so awkward for you… I really am…" Harry continued, biting his lip nervously.
"Don't be." Sirius said. "I think things will be okay once I have a talk with him." Harry nodded, smiling shyly.
"I'm going to go make us some tea." He said, padding out of the room.
Once he was gone Sirius sat in the chair silently. Staring at the empty doorway.
"I wont." A voice murmured firmly. Sirius looked up quickly and found Remus, wide-awake in the bed, staring right at him.
"What?" Sirius asked.
"I wont hurt him. Not if I can help him." Remus replied. "And I'm very serious about him." He continued. The next part was said with a slight blush. "Very… Very serious…"
Sirius inspected him for a moment before nodding slowly.
"Good." He said. "I think we should still have a more in depth conversation." Remus nodded in agreement and they both grew silent, listening to the sound of Harry moving about their tiny kitchen. They both let out a small sigh before they began their conversation.
&HP&
Harry continued searching through the cupboards. For some reason he was having the hardest time finding the bloody teapot. He could've sworn he had known his way around the kitchen by now; after all it was a rather tiny kitchen. I mean, it wasn't even a proper kitchen in any sense so how could something become lost in it? There are only so many places one can look!
Harry jumped at the sound of furious knocking on their front door. He stood tensely in the kitchen, not really wanting to go answer the door only to be mobbed by some students who have heard the news. Had the news spread already? How long had Remus and him been asleep?
The knocking was back and more insistent. Harry was saved from having to answer though as he saw Sirius rush by to the door. He waited silently in the kitchen (that wasn't even a kitchen but possibly a black hole that swallowed up teapots). He listened to Sirius open the door and greet the person on the other side of it.
"Hermione!" Harry heard Sirius' voice boom. "Come in, what's going on?"
"Is Harry here?" Hermione asked.
Now Harry knew that he was supposed to be mad at Hermione, so he should just ignore her and stay in the kitchen, but he wasn't able to ignore the nervous breathlessness in her voice. So with a small sigh he walked out of the kitchen.
"Yes?" He asked her, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms sternly, trying to seem unhappy with her, which he pretty much still was.
"Oh!" Hermione squeaked when she saw him. She moved like she wanted to rush over and hug him but seemed to notice his stance and held back guiltily. "I know you're mad at me but when I heard what had happened I had to come make sure you're okay." Hermione explained in one breath.
"Oh, right. Well I'm fine." Harry replied shortly. "It was a bit irritating that I had to deal with that before I was properly ready but hey, what can I do?" Hermione fidgeted awkwardly, biting her lip and drawing her eyes to the ground.
Sirius looked in between them both for a bit, obviously confused. Then, after a bit, he leaned against the now closed front door and crossed his arms.
"It bloody seems like I'm never here for anything." He muttered under his breath. "Right, so what did I miss?" He asked, obviously trying to hide his eagerness.
Harry looked at Sirius with a blank face and cold eyes, though they were obviously meant for Hermione. He raised an eyebrow coolly.
'Oh, haven't you heard?" He asked in a cold, casual voice. "Hermione is the reason that story made it to the papers."
Hermione opened her mouth to most likely retort but snapped it shut, looking as if she thought better of it for the moment. Sirius however looked livid.
"WHAT??" He boomed, causing Hermione to flinch. Sirius turned his furious eyes to the cringing, blushing Gryffindor. "YOU! I! HOW!" Sirius stuttered out loudly. "DETENTION! With… With… SNAPE! No! Filch! NO! YOU HAVE DETENTION WITH SNILCH!!!" Sirius screeched angrily. Harry raised an eyebrow, and even though Hermione looked both scared and ashamed she also looked confused.
"'Snilch'?" Harry asked curiously.
"The dreaded Snape-Filch monster created by the ultimate evil and sent to wander the dark halls of Hogwarts at night." Remus explained as he wandered from Harry's room, running a hand through his messy hair.
"O… k?" Harry replied, raising his eyebrow.
"Sirius created him one night two years ago after we watched the muggle movie 'Frankenstein'. Snilch is sort of a sewn together creature created when…I don't know, it has something to do with giant bears." Remus finished with a shrug and a yawn. Sirius sighed and rolled his eyes.
"No. The giant bears are a part of the story with McGonagall and Hooch's love child becoming Minister of Magic." Sirius explained as if it were obvious, "Snilch was created when there was a tragic (though not so much) potions explosion that destroyed Snape and Filch. Dumbledore was so distraught that he took the bits left of them both after the explosion and sewed them together, harnessing the power of lightning to bring it to life."
Hermione, though still frightened and embarrassed, looked slightly disgusted. Harry just stared with an incredulous look on his face. He blinked a few times and looked at Remus, who had taken a seat in a chair and looked completely unfazed, but slightly amused. He looked up and met Harry's expression, then he just grinned wickedly.
"And this man is your Godfather." He told him in a mock proud voice. Harry smirked a bit, sticking out his tongue.
"And YOU'VE been friends with him for how many years?" He retorted.
"I know…" Remus sighed out dramatically. Then he dropped the act and smirked. "Oh, and if you plan on sticking out your tongue you should know to put it to better use." Harry drew his tongue back in quickly, blushing deeply and laughing a bit.
"Oh shut up both of you!" Sirius shot back grumpily, pouting a bit. "And YOU!" He continued, pointing a finger at Remus. "Ew! No more discussing my godson's tongue and what you want him to do with it. It is inappropriate and it makes me want to hurt you, so quit it." Remus held up his hands in surrender and gained a "hey, whatever!" look to his face.
Harry glanced up when he heard Hermione giggle. He found her looking in between he and Remus with an absolutely glowing face. He was about to smile blushingly but triumphantly at her, wanting to share in the mini party he was sure was going on in her head. Then he remembered that he was mad and frowned instead. Unfortunately for Hermione this also drew Sirius' attention back to her.
"Oh!" He shouted in surprise and anger. Then he threw the accusing finger he had out at her. "SNILCH! I CONDEMN YOU TO SNILCH!" He cried angrily. Hermione drew back meekly.
"I didn't exactly tell the papers or anything!" She interrupted in her defense, "Ginny and Ron cornered me and blackmailed me into telling them in a panic, and some one must've overheard!"
Sirius stared at her, his finger still pointing accusingly at her, and he was inspecting her with narrowed eyes over his nose, which he was raising slightly and breathing heavily through, as his mouth was a thin line. After a bit he deflated into a slightly less irritated Sirius.
"If that is the situation then I have misunderstood." He began, his voice tense. "So I don't condemn you to Snilch… quite yet… but I'm still not pleased with you…" He finished, crossing his arms and looking more grumpy rather than murderous.
"Good," Hermione breathed out, looking relieved. Then Hermione looked over at Harry nervously. "I still had to know how you were. I didn't hear about the DADA fiasco until dinner." Harry sighed a bit and rolled his eyes.
"Yes, I imagine it's the gossip of the school." Harry muttered darkly, dropping onto the couch they had in there.
Remus leaned from his chair and rubbed his back comfortingly. Sirius dropped onto the couch next to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. Harry once again felt that overwhelming thankfulness towards them. He was also thankful for Hermione since she was worried enough to face the possible wrath of an angry (sort of) elf in order to check on him. However, he didn't dwell on it, since the fact of the matter was that he was indeed supposed to be angry.
"Well yes, unfortunately." Hermione replied, biting her lip. "Dumbledore seemed to realize that students might search the castle for you if they had unconfirmed information that you were here." Harry flinched at the thought. "So he made an announcement confirming that you were here and the article was true. Then he chewed out the students in the class earlier for how they asked. Then he pretty much guilt tripped anyone out of acting like that ever again."
"Good, Alice and I always liked Bumblebee." Harry breathed out with a smile, leaning into Remus and Sirius' comforting hands.
The room was silent for a bit. Harry realized that Hermione wanted to say something else but felt nervous about saying it. Harry was tired and once again, still angry, so he just threw out the idea of giving her an opening to say whatever it was she wanted to say. If she really needed to say it she could damn well spit it out.
"Ron and Ginny wanted to come see if you were alright as well." And there it was.
Harry cracked open his eye to look at her, she was biting her lip and staring at him. He simply raised an eyebrow in response.
"They feel right awful, they never thought all his would happen when they cornered me. They didn't even think it had anything to do with another person really." She told him awkwardly. "But they didn't come because… Well, I kind of chewed them out when they followed me on the way here." Harry perked up a bit, interested.
"What did you say?" He asked. Hermione looked surprised at first, then pleased, then embarrassed.
"I shouted about how all of this was all their fault." She began pausing with a blush when Sirius grunted gruffly in what could've only been agreement. "Then I…" Hermione broke off there.
She let out a loud breath and plopped down in the vacant chair. She pressed her face in her hands and hunched her shoulders.
"I shouted at Ginny and told her I couldn't believe that she would use my crush on Ron against me." She let out another bitter sigh. "I shouted it right in front of Ron." Harry felt a bit of sharp sympathy for her. "Then he just stared at me like I was mad and I shouted at him that I was too angry to be even care." She breathed out, almost whining with misery and embarrassment.
Harry frowned. He may have been mad but she was still his friend. He could tell she wasn't faking or exaggerating her feelings or what she had done. That was pretty harsh. He couldn't imagine what he would feel like if that had happened with Remus.
"Bloody hell," he told her, causing her to look up with miserable eyes. "That's pretty bad. But if they can be so harsh as to blackmail you do you really fancy him all that much?" Hermione sighed, looking torn.
"I know I shouldn't want to ever talk to them again…" She told him, "But Ginny has been such a good friend, she was my first real friend in this school and she's still my only one aside from Luna, if you don't include the awkward sort of acquaintance thing with Ron… and Ron… I've fancied him for so long… It would be hard to just… drop it like that." Harry nodded in sympathy; he could see it from her side.
"I think I'll most definitely be giving them the cold shoulder for a while, if they're still talking to me…" She sighed out.
"They will." Harry assured her. "And if Ron isn't falling all over himself to get you to go out with him now then he's an utter berk." Hermione smiled widely at him and her eyes began to tear up.
"Does this mean you forgive me?" She asked meekly, looking hopeful. Harry sighed, studying her for a bit, and then eventually he sighed again and smiled.
"I wont be completely ignoring you." He told her, "I know that if you're ignoring your only real friends here, aside from one, and you just shouted at your crush that he was indeed your crush… You'll need someone." He told her, grinning a bit. She looked happy enough to cry.
"Thank you!" She breathed out happily. Harry took on a firm look again.
"But do keep in mind that you still suck." He told her seriously. She smiled sadly at him.
"Yeah," She replied, "I really do suck."
"Hell yeah you do." Sirius grumbled, finally speaking after quite a bit of silence. Remus maintained a bit of his reigning silence by simply humming in agreement, raising an eyebrow. Hermione laughed, her own eyebrows raised.
"Well then it's unanimous. I do utterly suck." Her response was met with more hums of agreement, causing her to laugh a bit.
"Just so you know, Alice knows about the whole situation and you should look out for her, she wants revenge." Harry informed her with a smirk. Hermione shivered.
"Bugger." She muttered under her breath, looking worried. "I'll deserve it though." She sighed out. Then she looked over Harry's shoulder, looking perplexed. "Is that my quill on the table? I thought I lost it earlier today…"
&HP&
Ta-Dow. I'm tired. So that's it. Get over it and just enjoy it, damnit. Review… REVIEW!!!! OR SNILCH WILL COME TO YOUR HOUSE AND… AND… uh… HE SHALL EAT ALL YOUR FOOD AND LEAVE ALL THE SOILED DISHES ALL OVER THE KITCHEN AND HOUSE! OHHHHH! BE FOREWARNED!!!