Daddy's Little Princess

Harry

Suspecta

For the next weeks Harry didn't saw much of his now ex-girlfriend, it wasn't that he was hiding himself, he had no reason to do so. The simple reason was that due to them being in different grades and Harry living in the other part of the ancient castle he only saw her in the library or the great hall, when he decided to eat there with his friends.

''Higher!'' Rose ordered through her giggles. Harry kissed her nose, before throwing his sister in the air again.

''Don't drop her.'' Lily said, while walking in and dropping papers on the big desk near the window. Harry rolled his eyes and Rose laughed out loud.

''I would never drop my precious petal. How was your day?'' He started to twirl around and Rose let her head fall back, trusting him completely, like only small children could.

''Draining. No wonder Sev is so strict.'' She answered him.

''You call it strict, other's call it harsh and rigid.''

''One of the first-years almost managed to make his Forgetfulness Potion into Angel's Trumpet Draught.'' Harry nearly dropped Rose in surprise.

''He only missed the last ingredient, the Angel's Trumpet.''

''How did he manage that, they are completely different.'' He went through the ingredients in his head.

''Not to mention the colours and instructions.'' His mother nodded.

''Exactly, that boy didn't even seem to understand the danger he was in by brewing a poison, so I had to put him in detention for a week.'' There was a soft knock on the window and Harry crossed the room to let Hedwig fly in, Rose wiggled in his arms.

''Only one week? That's a bit too soft, if you ask me.'' He put Rose down and she walked-skipped over to Hedwig to coo at her and lavish the elegant bird with attention.

''Dumped for a bird, just like my best friend these days.'' He mumbled. His mother smiled and then bit her lip.

''Do you really think one week is too short?'' He nodded and followed her into the kitchen.

''Yes. If he had realised his mistake and had been sorry, then one week would be enough, but you made it sound as if he didn't care.'' He started to peel the onion she had put in front of him.

''Maybe, now it's too late anyway. Sometimes I think it would be more prudent to only show the first-years how to chop and stir and start brewing in second-year.'' She shook her head and started on the tomatoes.

''I met Alice on my way here.'' He waited for her to continue.

''She indicated that she had a female patient today, who had quite a few suspicious symptoms.'' He looked blankly at his mother.

''What are you trying to tell me? You are not talking about Hermione are you?''

''No, Merlin no, not Hermione.'' He relaxed, but wondered who his mother was talking about. He knew that she couldn't give him more details, since she had already said too much. Even if Alice was only helping out in the Hospital Wing, she still had to keep the Healer-Patient-Confidentiality.

Luna? Hannah? That would involve Dean or Neville, but not him.

''I'm single.'' He reminded her.

''Yes, I am aware of that.'' She smiled gently.

He narrowed his eyes.

''Are you hinting at Romilda?'' She put the finishing touch to their dinner.

''Rose, dinner is ready, go and wash your hands. Harry if you would lay the table for three, James is coming home late today.'' He smiled and nodded, but inwardly his mind was racing. So it was Romilda. Suspicious symptoms, that would hint at a delicate problem, wouldn't it. He would have to investigate, he had learned long ago not to jump to conclusions without more information.

After dinner he walked down to the library, he had once again used the point-me spell to find out where his ex-girlfriend was. He stayed in the shadows, he wanted to see not to be seen. It didn't take long to locate her, she sat alone at a secluded table. She had dark circles under her eyes and her long hair was carelessly tied back in a loose ponytail, more strands escaping with every move she made. He hadn't planned to talk to her, but seeing her like this was tugging at his heart. At one point in time he had liked her.

''May I?'' He asked after closing the distance between them. She looked up startled out of her trance.

''Of course.'' He tried to ignore the way her eyes lit up.

''You look tired.'' He stated bluntly. She nodded, her forehead was crinkling in thought and she fiddled nervously with her quill.

''How are things with Blaise, are you happy?'' He really was interested, from what he knew of him, the young Zabini wasn't one for commitment.

''I ended things, it was a mistake that ruined us.''

''We wouldn't have lasted either way.'' Her eyes had a dangerous glint that he didn't like one bit.

''Give me a second chance, I know better now.'' He shook his head.

''No, I can't do that. Maybe it is to soon for us to talk again, I should take my leave now.'' He stood up and wanted to turn around, when she stopped him.

''You will regret it, if you leave now.'' Her voice had lost the pleading tone and had turned slightly vicious.

''What are you implying?''

''You don't want to loose the right to see your child, would you?'' Her hand was rubbing ever so slowly over her stomach. He jerked upright, his whole body tensing. Did she just...

''No way. You don't really think for one second that I believe this, do you? I caught you with Blaise, for Godric's sake.''

''Doesn't mean it isn't yours.'' She smiled evilly at him, making him wonder what he ever saw in her. ''No, but maybe the fact that I always use protection. Always.'' He said clearly, but she only laughed and gathered her things.

''When you are awake you mean, but if you are asleep...'' She walked out of the library, leaving him standing there with utter disbelief at the pure malice she had shown.

Enjoy!