Title: If Only For My Daughter
Author Name: Urania and Melpomene Black
Category: General
Key Words: Mirabel, Germany, Krys, Remus, Sirius
Rating: R for some language and adult content and situations in later chapters
Spoilers: PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OotP, HBP
Summary: When worlds collide everything stops for a moment and everything in the world makes perfect sense. You know why people hurt, why they die, what loving someone really means. But before you can take it all in everything crashes and you may never understand anything ever again.
DISCLAIMER: We own Mirabel, Krys, Leah, Catrina, and Michi. All else belongs to J.K. Rowling. Bless her for allowing us to put her wonderful characters through such torture.
Chapter Six: Evil Plots and Hidden Secrets
Hogwarts – Scotland – Friday October 10, 1997
The next few weeks flew by. Hermione regained her lost confidence and it became apparent to most of the teachers and students. Draco made sure he took time out of his Head Boy busy schedule to spend with his girlfriend as he had noticed she was feeling neglected. Seamus continued to drool over Mirabel although she could barely even recall his name, which is if she even knew his name. Harry was resigned to the fact that Mirabel still had no idea he existed. Before Mirabel knew it the full moon was upon them again. This time falling on a Monday. Thursday and Friday Mirabel sat through all of her Father's lessons. The third through seventh years could barely contain their excitement as the coming Saturday brought the first Hogsmeade visit of the year. Mirabel failed to see the significance in this and Krys was happy to fill her in.
It wasn't that her father was boring it was just that it was the same class over and over and over again. Yes, she realized that each year was taught something different, but really all Remus had to do was jot down a few quick notes on exactly what spells or dark creatures they were studying and she'd be set. By the time the seventh years arrived Mirabel was deeply involved in her sleep. She sat at the very front on the table farthest to the left, near her bedroom door. Seamus made a beeline for one of the two open seats on either side of Mirabel. Krys occupied the other one. Krys poked her a few times to get her to wake up.
"Mirabel, next to last class of the day wake up." Mirabel sat up abruptly.
"Vampires are bad." She said. Krys looked at her and Harry and Ron bit their tongues to keep from laughing.
"Yes, yes they are, but we're studying Druid curses now."
"Ah Druids. I know about Druids." Mirabel laid her head back down, but Krys grabbed a handful of her robes and drew her back up.
"Pay attention like the rest of us." Krys told her firmly though a smile remained on her face. Mirabel looked around the classroom only to find Harry, Ron, and Hermione at the table behind her. Hermione had her elbow on the table and her head resting in her hand. She was fading fast.
"Hermione can sleep but I can't. What is the world coming to?"
"I'm not sleeping. I'm resting my eyes before class begins." Hermione mumbled.
"Why are the two of you so tired all of a sudden?" Harry asked.
"It's the week of the full moon, I'm the daughter of a werewolf, you do the math." Mirabel told him.
"Hermione?" Ron questioned.
"Studying. The N.E.W.T.S. will be here before you know it." Before anyone could say anything Remus walked in the classroom.
"I understand that the last time Mirabel taught this class you worked on wandless magic?" the students nodded and there were a few yeses thrown out, "Well then shall we continue with that for today since I have no doubt that that is what you will be learning next week."
"Good I can go back to sleep." Mirabel told Krys smugly.
"Mira," Remus said, "why don't you come up here and get them started?"
"I hate life." Mirabel said as she grudgingly got up. "Put everything away and stack up your bags like last time." She began turning the desks and chairs into pillows and Remus took a seat at his desk to start grading papers. "Alright did everyone get lumos and nox down?" she asked. There were a few nods but no one said anything, "Fine Hermione you go first." Hermione held out her hand and did the spells quickly, "Krys," she did it and Mirabel moved on to Harry, then Ron, Draco, "Um you,"
"I'm Dean Thomas."
"Alright your turn." He did fairly well and she moved on. Before she got to the next person Remus put a piece of parchment in her hand before returning to his desk, "Cool, a list of names. Lavender Brown. Pass. Pavarti Patil. You need to work on concentrating on the brightness a bit more. Neville Longbottom. Um yeah I'm sure Hermione can help you, but good try I think I saw a flicker. Seamus Finnigan. Good. Theodore Nott. Nice. Gregory Goyle. Um ask Krys for help. Pansy Parkinson. Well you have to say the spell to get it to work." Pansy just stood there. "Fine. Millicent Bulstrode. Good. Vincent Goyle. Um Harry will help you. Tracey Davis. Alright fail if you want. Daphne Greengrass. What is this a strike? Blaise Zabini. Good. Samantha Mello. Awesome. Okay now the ones that have successfully shown me that they can do lumos and nox can move on to accio. All of those who haven't need to keep practicing." While most of the students began practicing on their spells the Slytherin girls, with the exception of Samantha Mello, did not move. Mirabel shrugged and went to return the list to her father. "Dad," she whispered. He looked up from grading an essay and she took this as her cue to continue, "what if some of them aren't doing anything?"
"Don't worry. I'll be giving them an exam on everything you taught them. It's going to count as a fourth of their final grade. It was Dumbledore's suggestion." Mirabel beamed.
Hogsmeade, Scotland – Saturday October 11, 1997
On Saturday morning Mirabel was awoken very early by Krys jumping on the bed.
"Come on get up so we can go to Hogsmeade. Everyone's waiting on you in the Great Hall. Well at least the seventh year Gryffindors are." Mirabel reluctantly got up and Krys threw some clothes at her. She pulled on the jean skirt, black tank top, and light green sweater that hung off her shoulders. She preformed a simple charm so her legs and shoulders would stay warm in the cold. Krys had already grabbed her black purse and was out the door with Mirabel walking slowly, not even bothering to try and catch up.
"Finally," Ron said when she reached everyone outside of the Great Hall, "let's go."
"Food." Mirabel stated and entered the Great Hall without so much as a greeting to anyone. Harry grabbed her shoulder.
"I'll buy you food in Hogsmeade. Let's go." Mirabel looked upset and she stared back at the Great Hall sadly and stuck out her hand hoping it would work. A freshly baked muffin came flying at her and she smiled.
"Food." She said again happily before biting into it. Harry continued to drag her toward the doors and she followed content with her muffin. "now you can buy something other than food." She told him.
"Sure thing sister." He said.
"Thanks brother."
"Aren't you going to be cold?" Draco asked looking at Krys, Hermione, and Mirabel, all of them wearing matching jean skirts.
"Nope." Hermione answered.
"How?" Ron began.
"Magic." Krys told him as they passed an angry looking Filch.
"So who's going to introduce me to all of these people in our group that I don't know?" Mirabel asked finally after an awkward silence. Krys rolled her eyes and began the introductions.
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Sometime later Hermione, Krys, and Mirabel had wandered off on their own as they had not yet wanted to enter the Three Broomsticks, which usually meant it was almost time to return to Hogwarts.
"Check it out. The werewolf's daughter is out during the full moon." A Slytherin boy shouted from across the street.
"Shouldn't you be with daddy getting ready for the change?"
"No, he's got his lover there to help him out. Fags with daughters. Who would have thought it?"
"Before you know it Potter will be telling the world how he's really in love with Weasley."
"Ignore them." Hermione said calmly, "just ignore them."
"Oh look the mudblood's with them. Guess they couldn't find any better friends."
"Krys, Hermione go get the others." Mirabel whispered.
"What? We aren't leaving you here alone?" Hermione said, but Krys grabbed her arm.
"I think Mirabel has a plan let's just go with it." Krys and Hermione continued walking ahead toward the Three Broomsticks while Mirabel took a seat on a bench against the wall of Zonko's. Seeing that Mirabel was alone the four Slytherin boys crossed the street.
"Did we scare off your friends?" the one Mirabel knew was Avery asked.
"Five points from Slytherin for your mouth." Mirabel said calmly.
"You can't do that." Zabini told her.
"I'm a teacher aren't I. Keep it up and I'll make it detention with McGonagall. She doesn't care for you lot much does she? She'll probably schedule them during Quidditch practices." Avery took a step forward while Crabbe and Goyle blocked them from view of anyone who might be passing, "Tell your lackey's to stop eclipsing the sun." Avery put his hands on the bench on either side of Mirabel and leaned forward until he was close enough for Mirabel to feel his breath on her cheek.
"Won't you dance for us, Nicole?" he asked sweetly.
"What did you call me?"
"My father says you're very good on the stage and in bed." Mirabel recovered quickly. She would not allow him to see the shock she was feeling.
"Well I'm sorry to say that your father then wasn't all that memorable."
"Maybe not, but I'm sure I'll be."
"Hey get away from her!" she heard Harry yell from down the street. She smiled.
"Potter coming to rescue you."
"He's taken on Voldemort more times than one can count I'd be a little more afraid if I were you."
"You dare speak his name." Avery grabbed her upper arm. Mirabel gasped in pain it felt like he was trying to crush the bone.
"Did you not hear me the first time Avery?" Harry asked his wand pointed at Avery's back.
"I will get my taste." He whispered in her ear before standing up right.
"We'll see." She told him smiling.
"Let's go." Avery said and the other three Slytherins followed him back toward the castle.
"You okay Mirabel?" Hermione asked.
"Never better," she stood and turned to shout after Avery, "Fifty points from Slytherin for calling Hermione a Mudblood and another fifty for calling Krys's and mine dad's fags!" she yelled after them, "There now I feel better. So what did you buy me Harry?" she asked. He grinned and shook his head as he put his wand away.
"And to think we were actually concerned for your safety." Ron said.
Hogwarts – Scotland – Tuesday October 14, 1997
On Tuesday afternoon Mirabel left Krys and Hermione by the lake in search of Dumbledore. She had had enough of dealing with Avery and his lot. She was going to demand that Sirius take over teaching for her. It also hadn't helped that she had taken a hundred and five points from Slytherin and a small rebellion had begun during classes. After an hour of searching she returned to the Defense classroom to prepare for tomorrow's lesson. Dumbledore found her there a little while later.
"Finally," she said putting down a few of the pillows she was arranging, "I have been looking for you. I have a question."
"Yes Mirabel."
"I don't want to teach anymore. Let Sirius do it. I don't know why you wanted me to teach in the first place."
"Some are born to lead, others have leadership thrust upon them." Dumbledore told her before exiting the room. Mirabel ran to the door and shouted after him.
"What is that supposed to mean? You know a straight answer from you once and awhile wouldn't kill anybody." His only response was to hum merrily. Mirabel groaned and slammed the door shut before walking back to the front of the classroom. Sirius poked his head out of Remus's room and looked around until he spotted Mirabel.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked, softly shutting the bedroom door behind him. Mirabel took a seat on her father's desk, putting her elbows on her knees, and resting her chin on her hands.
"His godliness is being cryptic again. I asked if he could find someone else to take on substituting during the full moon. None of the kids take me seriously. I'm beginning to wonder if my grandmother was under the Imperius curse when she married my grandfather." Sirius smiled and took a seat next to her.
"Why don't they take you seriously?" he asked.
"I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm a girl or I'm too young. The first through third years aren't that bad. Maybe it's just once the guys hit puberty they become real jackasses." Sirius looked at her with a solemn face.
"What have they been saying?" she blushed and turned away from Sirius.
"It's nothing I'm not used to, but they don't say anything. I can't prove anything that they do. They write in this special ink so when I touch the paper it appears. I tried to see if Hermione or Krys could see it if I held the paper for them, but they can't. And like they say who's going to believe a slut." She said bitterly. Sirius was angered by the word and he turned Mirabel around to face him. She kept her head down so he could not see her tears.
"Mirabel you're not a slut. You don't act like one, you don't look like one, and so whoever is telling you that you are is wrong." Mirabel laughed bitterly.
"You don't understand Sirius. One of them, Avery's his name, he found out about some of the things I've done. You see I can change my appearance, make myself look older. Its how I've been able to travel without spending a lot of my inheritance. I used to work at this club when I was fifteen. There were a couple of times," she stopped to take in a shuddering breath, "well you see they were about your age and I suppose I should have expected it to happen and all and they were drunk so of course you can't blame them and it's very hard to convince a drunk man that you really are not interested." Sirius cupped her face in his hands and lifted her face until she met his gaze. Anger flashed in his eyes when he saw all the pain in hers.
"That's called rape Mirabel. Even if they were drunk, if you said no it means something. It is no way your fault and it never will be. Now this Avery guy what has he said or done. Tell me everything, leave nothing out." For the next half hour Sirius held Mirabel in his arms while she tearfully told him about the comments she had endured for taking points from the Slytherins due to some rude comments he had made at both Krys and Hermione. "I will take care of this Mirabel. I promise you that. I will wake Remus and we will take this straight to Dumbledore."
"Please, don't bother his godliness with something trivial like this." Sirius smiled at her knowing she would be okay if she was back to her joking ways.
"God, as you call him, would want to be bothered with something like this. He cares for you and it will anger him greatly that anyone would even dare to think of treating you this way. And I assure you any man in your past he will find and have taken care of by Remus and me. I'm sure I know a few others who wouldn't mind helping. Don't sell yourself short Mirabel you mean so much to so many people. You remind me of this beautiful girl I know. She used to do the exact same thing you are doing now." Mirabel looked at him questioningly.
"Who?" she asked.
"Hermione." Mirabel raised her eyebrows at the suggestion that Hermione was ever any different than the confident girl she knew.
"How'd she-"
"She met you." Sirius smiled at the confused look on Mirabel's face, "I want you to take one of the papers Avery gave you and go see Fred and George. Those two will probably know exactly what to do to make the writing visible to all." Mirabel nodded her head and hopped down from her seat on the desk in order to get everything ready for her trip to Diagon Alley.
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"Sweet, sweet, lovely Mirabel." Fred exclaimed when Mirabel entered the joke shop. She smiled; the twins always brightened her day.
"How can we help you today my love?" George asked coming out of the work room. Hesitantly Mirabel handed over the piece of parchment with a half completed assignment on it.
"Sirius wanted me to give this to you. He said you could help. There's a note on it written in special ink that when the person the note is for touches the paper it becomes visible, but only to them." The twins grinned broadly.
"It's one of our new products." George told her while Fred reached under the counter and brought out a small white eraser. He began to erase on the parchment where the note was. Then George waved his wand over the area. The message began to appear shortly after. Mirabel tried to snatch it away before either of the twins could read it, but she wasn't quick enough.
"Who." Fred began.
"Wrote."
"This atrocious."
"Ghastly."
"Horrid."
"Note. And more importantly." George continued.
"Who was it written to?"
"Please can you just hand it back. Sirius promised it would all be taken care of by himself, my father, and his highness. I don't want to cause anymore trouble. So I'll just take it back to Sirius and show it to him. It should be proof enough."
"We shall escort you." Fred proclaimed.
"No one messes with our precious Mirabel without dealing with us."
"I think we might be able to round up all of the Weasley brothers. Has he slipped any of these notes to our darling younger sister?" Fred asked seriously. Mirabel shook her head.
"Only once to each Hermione and Krys." The twins looked horrified.
"Not our beloved Hermione" George gasped.
"And our lovely Krys."
"This is an outrage." The twins cried out together. George ran quickly over to the fireplace and threw a pinch of floo powder in. Grabbing two red pieces of parchment from the mantle George threw one in after shouting Bill Weasley. Then he called out Charlie Weasley and threw in the other piece of parchment. Within a few minutes both of the oldest Weasley brother's had apparated into the shop.
"Oh what have the two of you done?" Mirabel asked tears springing to her eyes.
"Don't fret." Fred said patting her shoulder.
"We will take care of this fellow." George finished.
"Something happen to you Mirabel?" Bill asked. Fred handed the note over for him and Charlie to read.
"It has also happened to Krys and Hermione." Fred explained.
"Well guess we're going to see Dumbledore." Charlie said angering at the awful words written on the page.
"Before we go," Bill said calmly, "could we have his name?"
"Avery." Mirabel whispered. Fred put his arm securely around her shoulders.
"Cheer up Mirabel. He'll be taken care of in no time."
"Shall we floo directly to Dumbledore's office?" George asked. Mirabel nodded quickly and it was decided she would be the first to go through followed by Bill, Charlie, George, and then Fred. Dumbledore looked grim when the five arrived in his office. Remus, Sirius, Krys, and Hermione were all waiting patiently, if not nervously. Mirabel handed the parchment over to Dumbledore silently. He read it and then looked over to Krys and Hermione.
"Both of you have received notes like this as well." Krys nodded, but Hermione bit her lip, "Miss Granger?" Dumbledore questioned.
"There was no note. I haven't been able to remove the hex yet, but it's nothing I can't deal with. It doesn't affect me in anyway." Dumbledore raised his hand to stop her rambling.
"What is the hex Miss Granger?" She bowed her head before drawing up her courage and lifting her school shirt from her skirt. Written across her stomach in red were the words 'Die Mudblood'. Sirius let out a growl while an outcry went up from the Weasley brothers.
"I assure everyone in this room that this will be dealt with immediately. I only wish that the three of you would have let me know sooner. This type of behavior will not be tolerated while I am Headmaster." Mirabel put her arm around Hermione's shoulders and Krys did the same.
"Come on let's get something to eat." Krys suggested as the three walked out of Dumbledore's office.
"Sounds wonderful, we can wallow away while eating cookie dough." Mirabel added.
"Or cheesecake." Hermione said perking up. The Weasley boys escorted the girls to the kitchens before heading to the Gryffindor common room to find Harry and Ron.
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Harry and Ron knew something was wrong the minute Bill entered the Gryffindor common room.
"Harry, Ron we have things we need to talk about." Bill said.
"Malfoy needs to hear this as well." Charlie told them.
"We're supposed to meet him in a few minutes before we head out to the lake to hang out with the girls." Harry answered.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Ron asked.
"Let's just go get him and we'll explain." Charlie said. The Weasleys and Harry left the common room and headed for the front doors where Draco was already waiting.
"What's wrong?" he asked immediately upon seeing all of the Weasleys.
"It's about Hermione, Krys, and Mirabel. Apparently they've been getting harassed by this Slytherin, Avery." Fred answered.
"Where are the girls now?" Draco asked.
"We left them in the kitchens with Dobby. He's not supposed to let them leave until you come to get them." Charlie informed him.
"Krys was given a threatening note, Mirabel has been getting several notes, and Hermione was hexed." George explained.
"What do you mean hexed?" Harry roared.
"On her stomach were the words 'Die Mudblood'." Bill said angrily. Before anyone could stop him Harry was gone. The twins made to go after him, but Ron stopped them.
"What do you think the two of you can do? He's angry; nothing is going to stop him. Trust me on this." Reluctantly they agreed.
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Harry had found a third year Slytherin wandering in the dungeons. He'd thrown him up against the wall and demanded to know where Avery was.
"In the Slytherin Prefects bathroom. The password is pure blood." When Harry entered the bathroom he was prepared to start throwing curses at Avery and any Slytherin with him. What he wasn't prepared for was the sight in front of him. Instead of a Prefects bathroom he expected the room was dark except for the light from the floating candles. What looked to be an alter was directly in front of Harry and Avery was bowing before it. He picked up a goblet and began to drink. When he spoke it was in a language Harry did not recognize and in a voice Harry knew was not Avery's.
"What the bloody hell is going on around here?" Harry yelled. When Avery turned at the shout blood was dripping from his mouth. He grinned evilly at Harry. "You're a vampire. But that's impossible."
"When I get through with your girlfriend and sisters you can ask them what I am. The Dark Lord wants them for his own."
"Hermione." Harry whispered before tearing out of the bathroom. The Weasleys and Draco were still where Harry had left them. "Where's Hermione?"
"Kitchens." Ron said before following Harry.
"Hermione." Harry sighed when he caught sight of her at the table with Krys and Mirabel eating a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream, "Hermione come on you have to get out of here. All three of you we have to go." Harry grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled her up.
"Harry what's wrong? What are you talking about?"
"It's Avery. He's a vampire. Well not really maybe he's some kind of vampire demon. But he's working for Voldemort and he wants you. Come on we don't have a lot of time he knows I know. Well of course he knows I know he told me what he knew so obviously he knows that I know what he knows."
"Harry you need to calm down." Krys said standing up with Mirabel.
"Why don't you and Hermione go to god's office? I'm sure he'll know what to do." Mirabel told him rationally.
"That's smart Mirabel. Good thinking. You two go get Sirius and Remus and come as well. Avery wants the two of you too. Come on 'Mione let's go. Ron are you coming?" Hermione looked back at Mirabel and Krys as Harry pulled her out of the kitchen.
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"Hey your highness I think Harry's feeling a bit well insane." Mirabel said upon entering the Great Hall with Krys. Dumbledore sat at the head table with McGonagall, Sirius and Remus eating a late lunch. He looked at her questioningly and Krys filled in the blanks.
"Well not bitchy insane like usual more like crazy insane. He thinks Avery is some kind of evil vampire demon thing."
"Exactly," Mirabel said nodding, "So I sent him to your office."
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Ron and Hermione were patiently waiting while Harry was pacing in front of them.
"Did they tell you what happened?" Harry demanded. Dumbledore nodded.
"Please Harry tell me what you saw." Dumbledore said taking a seat at his desk while Remus and Sirius took a seat with Krys and Mirabel. Harry remained standing as he explained what he had witnessed in the bathroom. "I suggest that Hermione, Krys, and Mirabel remain with in sight and I must ask you not to go wandering anymore Mirabel. Visiting Diagon Alley will still be fine, but strolling the grounds and exploring the castle alone I do not feel is safe at this point." Mirabel sighed, but with a look from her father agreed, "I shall talk with Mr. Avery and learn all that I can. Until then I ask that you do not take matters into your own hands." Harry and Ron nodded in agreement. And the matter was left at that.
Hogwarts – Scotland – Wednesday October 15, 1997
Mirabel broke the rule within the next day. She had slipped from Draco's sight with ease, as he was wrapped up in Krys, and was making her way down to the greenhouse when she smelled it. Menthol. How she loved the smell, but loathed the actual smoking bit. Following her nose she saw a boy leaning against greenhouse four smoking a cigarette. Whoa, she thought, he's hot. She squinted to see the colors of his tie. Bad boy Slytherin. He wasn't one of the boys who had joined in the taunting so she figured he was safe enough.
"Hello." She called happily as she trotted down to the greenhouse. Startled Nott looked up.
"Hello." He replied taking another drag of his cigarette before throwing it to the ground and stomping it out, "What can I do for you beautiful?" he asked.
"Wow a charmer. You aren't evil are you? Because his godliness told me specifically that I was not allowed near evil Slytherins." Mirabel told him seriously. He laughed and his smile brightened his face.
"No, I'm not evil, but I'm not exactly good either." Mirabel shrugged.
"I'm Mirabel Lupin."
"Theodore Nott. Lovely to meet you Bell." Mirabel mulled the nickname over in her mind and decided she would let it slide.
"Does that mean I can call you Teddy?" He laughed again.
"Why not, as long as it's not when I'm trying to be bad. It would ruin my image and all." Mirabel agreed.
"Care to escort me back to the castle? There's someone I'd like you to meet. I think you might be able to cheer her up."
"Oo. Sounds promising. I would be honored." He gave her his arm and she took it. "Now this girl, care to tell me more about her?" The two talked and laughed all the way to the Defense classroom.
"Meet me at green house four again tonight at ten." He winked.
"It's a date." Nott left her at her door and headed off to who knows where.
"Mirabel I have been looking all over for you." Harry said jogging lightly down the hall from the opposite direction in which Nott had just left, "Would you like to come to the first Gryffindor quidditch practice of the year?"
"Sure. Is anyone else coming?"
"I think Seamus is. McGonagall picked him to be the new commentator. We had a bit of fiasco last year finding a good one. You can sit and watch with him." He suggested.
"Cool. Where are Hermione and Krys? Don't they like watching practice?" she asked as Harry led her toward the pitch.
"Well Krys isn't allowed to watch since she watches the Slytherin practices because of Draco and Hermione despises quidditch, but she's never missed a game."
"I see. So this wouldn't be you trying to set me up with Seamus?" Mirabel asked. Harry stopped in his tracks.
"No," he stuttered out, "why would you think that?"
"Because Krys told me that she over heard you talking to Ron about it and Ginny told me that Dean let it slip to her that he took a forty five minute shower after I landed in his lap." Mirabel was now a good ten steps in front of Harry.
"What?" Mirabel turned to look at Harry strangely.
"I was joking. I haven't seen Krys since yesterday in gods office and Ginny's off somewhere with some guy. And don't tell Ron I told you that." Harry sighed in relief that his plan was still in full swing. "Now this Seamus guy, he's the Irish one right? And Dean is the black guy and Neville is the one with the toad." Harry nodded.
"Yep, and if you ever forget a name just yell hey you I'm sure someone will answer."
"Nice Harry, that's some great advice. Ever thought of becoming a therapist?"
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Seamus was already sitting in the stands when Mirabel had climbed her way to the top.
"Hey are you Seamus?" Mirabel asked. He looked at her dumbly before nodding, "Cool Harry told me to look for you. He said you could explain all the rules to me. I'm Mirabel Lupin by the way."
"I know." He said and then cursed himself inwardly for how un-smooth he was being.
"Well that's good then." There was an awkward silence in which Mirabel put her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands to watch Harry swoop and dive while yelling out commands. She could picture him quite clearly leading an army. Seamus cleared his throat and the awkwardness between them rose. Bad move, he thought to himself.
"What don't you understand about quidditch?" he finally asked after she had sighed for the third time. From that point on there was not another moment of awkward silence. Seamus did his best to explain things and offered to save her a seat in the commentator's box so she could watch with him. She accepted his invitation and they agreed to eat breakfast together before going to the pitch. Of course the game was not until the second week of November, but none of this mattered to Seamus. Growing bored with quidditch Mirabel asked him about his classes and why he wanted to become an auror. "Well all of us are. Dean, Neville, Harry, Ron, and me that is. I've never really given thought to do anything else. What do you want to do?"
"Don't know. This teaching thing isn't too bad. Either is the whole daughter thing. A girl could get used to all the attention." They talked some more about everything and anything and before Mirabel was ready the quidditch practice was over.
"Come on Mirabel I'll give you a quick ride around the pitch." Harry said happily as he and Ron flew over to where she was sitting with Seamus.
"Ha like I'd feel safe riding on the back of a broom with you. I'll ride with Ron thank you very much." Harry shrugged as Ron held out his hand to help her up, "Drop me Ron and I'll have my dad kill you." She said clutching his waist tightly.
"Relax it'll be fun. We'll go slow okay." He promised. Mirabel relaxed her grip as she became used to the soaring feeling in her stomach.
"This is fun." She told Ron honestly.
"See I told you to just relax." He gently landed and waited for Harry to help her off before getting off himself.
"Thank you Ron. Now I'm off to find Hermione."
"Hang on Mirabel you know the rule. No wandering off by yourself." Harry warned.
"Seamus will walk me back to the castle, won't you Seamus." She said turning around to grin at him.
"Um sure thing." He stuttered turning a light shade of pink. Mirabel didn't seem to notice.
"I'll see you at dinner." She told them before walking of with Seamus.
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"Hermione I have a plan, but we need to find Krys and Ginny so we can pull it off." Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"And what is this plan for?" she asked.
"Well you want to know how much Harry loves you right? Whether you're just friends with benefits of something more. Now you'll just have to go with me on this and trust me that it will all work out okay."
"Now that you've said that I'm suddenly worried." Hermione followed Mirabel to the Gryffindor common room in search of Krys and Ginny. They found them at one of the tables, each studying for a different class.
"Mirabel thinks she has a diabolical plan to enlighten Harry." Hermione announced.
"You should be more excited Hermione. It's going to be adventurous." Ginny stated.
"You know about it?" Hermione asked.
"Are you kidding I helped plan it. Well after Nott introduced himself to me."
"When did you see Mirabel?" Krys asked a bit surprised as well. She had helped Harry set up Mirabel to meet Seamus.
"I haven't seen her until just now, but Nott caught me in the library and told me what Mirabel was thinking and I helped hatch the rest of the plan." Ginny answered.
"Wait, wait before we go any further with this scheme to right Hermione's love life I want to know one thing. What did you think of Seamus, Mirabel?" Krys asked.
"Ah-ha I knew Harry was trying to set us up. It was so obvious." Krys just stared at her waiting for an answer, "Well he is cute I'll admit that. He seems nice and today was the first time we carried on a conversation without him stuttering. Plus he has that sexy accent." Mirabel gushed, "Anyway back to Hermione. Has Harry ever outright asked you to be his? In anyway shape or form has he ever hinted that you are to belong solely to him?" Hermione shook her head.
"Good," Ginny said, "because that means in the great scheme of things no one will view you as a cheater when this gets out around school." Hermione's eyes went wide.
"Please tell me you are not thinking of doing what I know you are thinking of doing."
"Oh come on Hermione, live a little." Krys said cheerfully.