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Ch. 6

Friday Night

8th Common Room

Whom did you tell about Hermione's nightmares?

The jovial atmosphere died instantly.

"I didn't tell anyone except McGonagall, and you heard me when I did, Granger," Malfoy answered.

"I didn't know you were having nightmares, Hermione. I have a sleeping potion made from non-dirigible prunes that will help with a good night's sleep." Luna looked concerned. "But I can see the filterbilters around you and Harry. He could sleep with you and it would work just as well as a potion."

Hermione's face flamed red. "Err, thank you, Luna."

"I'd like to know who sold you out, Hermione. It wasn't me. I haven't even talked to Mom about it, but you know that."

"Thanks, Ginny. I really appreciate it." Hermione nodded to her friend.

"No one," Blaise responded.

"I didn't tell..." Padma started, but stopped. "I told Marietta. I didn't think anything about it, Hermione."

"Marietta Edgecombe? You told Marietta? Why? I thought you were my friend!" Hermione was furious.

"She and I are friends, Hermione! We were just talking. I wasn't trying to hurt you!"

"She hates me, Padma! Of course she's going to paint everything in a bad light. How did it get in the Prophet?"

"I'm so sorry. She works for the Prophet in the advertising department." Padma looked distraught. "It never occurred to me she would do something like that."

She paused. "But you know what? It's partially your fault."

"Excuse me? How is it my fault?" Hermione demanded.

"You did pretty much brand her for life with your little 'SNEAK' trick. Maybe if you'd had some compassion and fixed it at some point in the past couple of years, she wouldn't be so angry with you still."

"I cannot believe this. She got pimples and now she's trying to ruin not only my reputation but Harry's too? Who the fuck does that?"

"Hermione," Harry's quiet voice cut across her consciousness, "I'm sure Padma won't be telling her anything else – " his green gaze shifted to Padma, "will you?"

She shook her head. "No. I understand her being angry, but I think it was a betrayal of our friendship, too. I won't be telling anything else that happens here. I swear."

"Well this has all been fascinating, but can we perhaps get back to having a bit of fun this evening? All this angst is terribly off-putting." Draco signaled Blaise to give him another drink of Firewhiskey. "And Padma has sworn to not reveal anything further; I'm sure she won't again."

Padma swallowed nervously at the menace in Draco's voice and nodded mutely.

"I haven't talked about it with anyone not here tonight." Justin took his turn.

And the answer was the same for everyone else.

"Excellent. My turn." Malfoy reached out, touched the crystal ball, and groaned. "Another freaking share-care question. This was not what I had in mind."

Would you give up the approval of your family for the love of your life?

"I can't see my father objecting to the love of my life," Luna mused. "Unless, of course, he was having trouble with pinpointed porcines; but that's very rare, and I'd stay away from someone like that in any case."

Ginny's gaze focused on the crystal ball, obviously lost in thought. "It would kill me, but I think I would." Her voice firmed and she nodded definitively. "Yes, yes I would."

"Yes." Blaise smirked. "But I'd make sure I had enough money in my vault to live comfortably first."

"Umm, I think so." Padma's voice was quiet; she seemed chastened by what had happened to her.

"No." Justin shook his head. "My family means too much to me."

Terry picked at the label on his butterbeer. "I'd like to say yes, but I have to say, honestly, I don't know."

Nodding sympathetically, Hannah agreed with him. "I'm the same way, Terry. I just hope my family doesn't disapprove of whom I love."

"Well, I don't have a lot of family left. But if I did, I'd like to think they'd accept the love of my life." Harry paused. "But even if they didn't, I'd choose her."

"I agree with Harry for the same reasons," Hermione said, drawing random patterns on the arm of her chair with her finger.

Harry turned around and pulled her hand down to his shoulder and covered it with his hand. Hermione's shoulders relaxed as the simple touch registered with her.

"I would as well." Daphne didn't even pause and looked to Neville for his answer.

"I've never thought about it. But, yeah, I would. If the war taught me anything, it taught me the power of love."

"I don't know." Draco took his turn. "That's not a cop-out. I really don't know."

"Oh, I think you will, Draco. I'm sure of it. It's just the crinkled nargles that are making you doubt yourself." Luna added, "Blaise, will you hand out the drinks while I get our next question?"

What is your favorite sexual fantasy?

"Now that's my kind of question!" Blaise turned to Ginny after taking his drink. "Tell me, Red, what's your favorite sexual fantasy?"

Ginny's face flamed red. "Quidditch pitch."

"That's it? The quidditch pitch? What about the Quidditch pitch?" Blaise pressed her.

"I cannot believe I'm saying this out loud. On the Quidditch pitch during a game under a disillusionment charm."

"Red, I didn't know you had it in you." Blaise looked at Ginny with a light in his eyes. "My favorite fantasy. I have so many, but I think yours has shot to the top of the list. We should try it sometime."

"She has five, no, check that, six older brothers, Blaise." Harry narrowed his eyes at the other wizard. His head suddenly jerked forward for a second time that night as Hermione popped the back of his head. "Oww. What was that for?"

"I can take care of myself, Harry. I don't need you or Ron – " Ginny began. "Or Bill, Charlie, Percy, or George to threaten my – " She caught herself, "to threaten anyone on my behalf."

Padma interrupted. "Mine is a beach. To be on my honeymoon and to make love on a private beach with the waves crashing around us."

"Oh, shit." Justin looked genuinely distressed. "I, uhh, Iwanttobetiedupanddominated." The words came out in a rush.

Harry blinked. "You want to be tied up and dominated? Is that what you said?"

Face flaring, Justin nodded mutely.

"Well, okay," Harry accepted.

Terry grinned. "Since third year, I've wanted to get a blow job on those pillows in the Divination classroom."

"I wonder if Trelawny would predict that." Hermione snorted and snickers sounded around the room.

"I'd like to be spanked." Hannah cleared her throat. "You know, as part of sex."

"I think the Hufflepuffs are closet kinky," Draco snarked after not one, but two eye-opening confessions from the Badgers. "What exactly does your House get up to after curfew?"

"Oh bugger off, Malfoy. Like the Slytherins have any room to talk," Justin shot back.

"God. This is cheesy." Harry groaned. "It's my wedding night and I'm in my own home. One no one can take from me. And my wife and I are starting a family of our own." He rubbed his eyes before he looked up and around. "Not kinky, I know." He shrugged. "but it's my favorite."

Hermione reached down and squeezed his shoulder. "You'll get that one, Harry." He turned and met her gaze.

Hermione looked up, and after a moment, confessed, "I'd like to have some mystery man sweep me away and kiss me senseless."

"I'd like to make love under the stars," Daphne admitted softly.

Neville considered his answer. "In a open orangery with the smell of citrus in the air; I'd set up a picnic, and well, you know, make love on a blanket in the middle of it. And maybe have some whipped cream on hand." He stopped. "Yeah, that's my favorite."

Draco smirked. "How very romantic of you, Longbottom." Neville rolled his eyes at the blond. "My favorite sexual fantasy? Oh, I know. A threesome. Just me and two witches to see to my every need."

"Oh, Draco, that's quite similar to mine, but I'd prefer a foursome." Mouths dropped at Luna's response.

Ginny reached forward and touched the crystal ball for the next question.

What would you do if an umgubular slashkilter threatened the one you love the most?

Blaise leaned over and looked at Luna. "Uh, Luna, what in hell is an umgubular slashkilter?"

"You know, Blaise, it's a poisonous creature that can kill you with a look or its fangs." Luna gave half of the description of a basilisk.

"Oh." Blaise thought for a moment. "I guess it depends on whether or not I could kill it. But if I couldn't, I'd do whatever I could to protect her."

"Same." Padma concurred, as did everyone until Harry took his turn.

His eyes met Ginny's briefly before he turned to lean his side against the front of the chair, his arm across Hermione's lower leg, hand resting on her knee. "I'd end it."

"What do you mean, you'd end it, Harry?" Justin asked. "Those things are almost impossible to kill."

"They die." Harry shrugged. "You just need the right tools."

"And, what tools would those be, Chosen One?" Malfoy mocked from his perch at the back of the circle.

Harry shrugged. "The Sword of Gryffindor, for a start. Fiendfyre would probably do the trick too."

"What's the Sword of Gryffindor?" Justin queried.

"Just what it sounds like. Goblin-made sword that belonged to Godric Gryffindor. It appears to Gryffindors who have need of it." Harry shrugged. "It appeared to Neville too. Killed that monster Nagini." He faced Neville. "I don't know if I've ever told you, but you're a badass, Neville."

"Thanks, Harry." Neville's face flamed at the praise. "It just needed to be done, and I'm glad I could help defeat Voldemort."

"Voldemort did seem pretty pissed when you cut the head off his pet. Only thing he seemed to like." Draco shuddered at the memory. "Hated that fucker. Glad he's dead. And that creepy snake of his. Thanks, Longbottom."

Neville just nodded, embarrassed at the attention.

"Well, it's my turn, isn't it?" Hermione asked. "I'd do the same as Harry. I'd find a way to end the threat."

"I'm not sure. I think I'd find a way to avoid the threat if I could. But I'd definitely do everything I could to protect the person I loved." Daphne wasn't confident that she'd be able to kill something like a basilisk, but she was sure she'd defend the love of her life.

"I'd kill it, yeah?" Neville answered. "Sometimes it's the only way."

"I don't think the Sword of Gryffindor will appear for me, but," Draco said, "I could conjure Fiendfyre if I needed to."

"Well, I hate to hurt anything, but sometimes you must do what is necessary." Luna sounded uncharacteristically grounded. "I'd find a way to end the threat."

"I'd do whatever it took and hope the Sword of Gryffindor appeared. If it didn't, I'd conjure Fiendfyre." Ginny voice was haunted, a remnant of her time in the Chamber of Secrets.

"I'd do the same, conjure Fiendfyre if I had to." Blaise's jaw set. "Too many people died in the war. We'll never be the same. Any of us." And with that, he reached out to trigger the next question.

Who was the best kisser?

Padma considered her answer. "Definitely Kevin."

"I have to say that Susan Bones was the best kisser." Justin looked around. "I feel bad saying that without her here."

Terry held up his hands in an balancing motion, like an old-fashioned scale, weighing his options. "Ehhh, I'm going to say it's a tie between Lisa Turpin and Mandy Brocklehurst."

"Best kisser?" Hannah paused. "Hummm. Let me think. Oh, I know. Neville. To date, Neville, you've been the best kisser."

Neville's face flared red. "Thanks, Hannah. You were, uhh, quite good too."

Harry was torn between letting Neville keep the spotlight and helping his friend out. But time ran out.

"So, Harry. Your turn. Best kisser." Neville took matters into his own hands to get the spotlight off himself.

Thanks for throwing me under the bus, mate. Harry took another long drink of his butterbeer, looking for time. "Can I have another shot, please? Actually, pour two, if you don't mind, Blaise."

Blaise cocked his head to the side, considering the Gryffindor sitting on the floor in front of the brightest witch of her age. "Sure, mate, whatever you want."

Harry stood and got the shots from Blaise, and returned to the chair. "Hermione – can I sit?" She stood and before he sat he handed her the extra shot. "Take this with me." He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry about this." She nodded. After they both drank their portions of Firewhiskey, Harry sat and patted his lap. "You can sit here. No need for the floor." Hermione settled herself beside him with her legs draped over his lap.

"Quit stalling, Potter." Draco had a pretty good idea of what was coming.

Harry wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist and leaned his head on her. "Hermione."

"I knew it!" Padma practically screeched from her seat beside Justin. "I always knew something was going on between the two of you!"

"We're just friends, Padma." Hermione tried to derail Padma before she really got going.

"If you're kissing, you're not just friends. You're dating or you're friends with benefits, but you're not just friends."

"Whatever, Padma. Whatever. I'm not going to explain this to you." Hermione glanced down at Harry, aware of the Firewhiskey making its way into her bloodstream and making her reckless. "To answer the question, though, Harry."

"Oh no, we need to know more about this." Hannah, normally very quiet, entered the fray. "You're both going to get hounded about this, so you need to just explain and get it over with."

Harry and Hermione looked at each other and appeared to come to a decision.

Draco shuddered. "It's so creepy how they do that, isn't it? Have this whole conversation without saying a word?"

"Oh, I don't know, Draco, I think nonverbal communication is really lovely to watch. You can see the flittering giblets moving around their heads. It's fascinating."

Before Draco could respond to Luna's comment, Hermione spoke up. "Fine. Last year. We kissed, a proper kind of snog, one time. We just kissed twice. That's it. Whole story."

"So which is it? Once or twice?" Neville's eyes twinkled. "Both are the truth, but what does that mean?"

Hermione deflated. Bugger. "There was one other kiss, but it wasn't a proper snog."

Ginny, who had been very still and quiet to this point, finally spoke up. "So, if it was the best kiss either of you have ever had, why not continue then? No one was around, right?"

Harry winced as his ex-girlfriend asked for an explanation. "It wasn't like that. We were dancing, and then we kissed once, and we remembered where we were and what was going on and all the other things that we had to settle. And so we decided to not be distracted by making a more complicated relationship between us. Really. That's what happened. And I can't lie right now, remember?"

Daphne, sensing that Hermione was about to say something she might regret later, decided to take her turn. "My best kisser was Theo. But it took a while to get there. Our first few kisses were kind of – meh. But eventually, yeah. He was a really good kisser."

Following Daphne's lead, Neville took his turn. "Honestly, Hannah was the best kisser too. Hadn't really thought about it. But it was really, really nice."

"Pansy is a really good kisser," Draco answered.

"I suppose Theo as well. He really was lovely. Daphne, I think he probably has you to thank for that."

Ginny appeared to be weighing her answer mentally, her head tilting from one side to the other. "All things considered, I'd say – Dean Thomas."

Blaise narrowed his eyes in thought. "The best kisser, off the top of my head, I'd have to go with Pansy too."

Padma tapped the crystal ball for the final question of the night.

Kiss the person of the opposite sex closest to you.

Hermione's voice broke the stunned silence. "Wait! This was supposed to be only questions! Not dares!"

"It looks like someone cheated, Granger." Malfoy smirked. "Are you too chicken to kiss, oh, it's going to be, Potter? You've already said he's the best kisser you know. What's the problem?"

"Hermione." Harry's voice intruded before she could get truly upset. "It's okay. It's just a kiss."

"But Harry – umph." Her voice cut off abruptly when he reached up and threaded his fingers through her hair and pulled her lips to meet his. He took advantage of her slightly parted lips to thrust his tongue inside. She just barely kept from moaning out loud. God, that feels right. Her hands lightly grazed his upper arms as they moved towards his neck. Harry moved his hands to cradle the back of her head and draw her further into the embrace.

Hermione forgot where she was as their tongues tangled together. She tightened her grip on his neck and pressed her chest to his, her nipples pebbling at the contact. Beneath her leg, she felt him harden. Why haven't we done this again? She tightened her legs, increasing the pressure on her throbbing clit. Sensing her growing frustration, Harry slowly began to pull back, gentling the embrace. They finally pulled apart, eyes hazy with passion and breath just a little too rapid.

As they regained their composure, foreheads pressed together, voices penetrated their cocoon.

"Merlin, that was beautiful." Hannah's voice was almost reverent.

"I knew it." Padma sounded smug. "Nobody who kisses like that are just friends."

"Well, Potter and Granger just set the bar." Blaise smirked. "Care to give us some pointers, Potter?" Ginny punched him in the arm. "Oww!"

Still looking into Hermione's eyes, Harry responded to the taunt. "Bugger off, Zabini." Harry reached up and stroked the side of her face and traced the outline of her lips with his thumb. Only then did he look around the room. "Aren't you voyeurs supposed to be kissing someone?"

"Are you saying that Dean kisses better than that, Ginny?" Luna's question caused a titter.

Ginny pondered briefly. "Harry never kissed me like that, Luna. And I bet she didn't kiss Ron that way, either."

"No, I guess they didn't. It's those flittering giblets that respond so well. You know a couple is destined to be together when you see them."

Hermione's eyes widened as she processed Luna's comment, but only Harry could see that.

Beside them, Daphne swallowed nervously and turned to Neville who reached his hand up, and in a gesture reminiscent of Harry's to Hermione, tucked it behind her ear and in her hair.

"Right. This okay?" She nodded mutely. He pulled her towards him and softly brushed his lips over hers. They caught, and held. Daphne's hands curled in Neville's shirt at his stomach of their own volition, and they both leaned forward, hungry for more. A catcall startled them both out of their own dream.

"What is with the Gryffindors and the kissing?" Terry asked from across the circle. "I think if we left either of those two couples alone, they'd need silencing and contraceptive charms."

Neville hadn't let go of Daphne, his hand still tangled in her hair. He tore his gaze from hers to respond. "Oi, don't be an ass, Boot." After gently untangling his hand from her head, he turned the rest of the room. "Harry's right; you are a bunch of voyeurs. Aren't you supposed to be kissing someone?"

His words galvanized the room. Terry and Hannah and Ernie and Padma kissed briefly. But Blaise wasn't done.

"Drake, I think they've thrown down the gauntlet. Should we show them how it's done?" Without waiting for a reply, he turned to Ginny, who'd gotten very quiet watching her housemates. "Red? Up for the challenge? Should we top that?"

Ginny, startled by the deep voice in her ear, jerked her head around and recklessly threw herself into making herself forget her ex-boyfriend and one of her best friends kissing. They only broke apart at more wolf whistles and catcalls from Terry and Justin.

Luna ignored the kiss beside her, stood and straddled Draco's lap, settling herself in with a quick wiggle.

"Just what I thought. Those flitterbits around your head go away when you're sexually aroused, Draco. You really should have sex more often."

Everyone except the occupied Ginny and Blaise face vaulted to see a blush move up Draco's face, staining his pale skin red. "Ahhh." He had no words, so he kissed her instead. Their lips met in a clash of lips, teeth, and tongues. There was no gentleness in it; instead, it looked like the expression of pent-up frustration. Draco's hand snaked under Luna's peasant top in the back and pressed her against his chest as she rotated her hips in his lap. A strangled moan sounded, but it was impossible to tell who let out the frustrated sound.

They reluctantly pulled apart moments later. "I can't believe you exist." Draco's eyes devoured Luna's swollen lips and clear blue eyes.

Across the room, Daphne exchanged an arch look with Hermione. This was interesting development.

1st Saturday in October

Hogsmeade Weekend

Hermione, Ginny, Draco, Blaise, Harry, and Neville awaited the two Ravenclaws, Felicity, and Emmeline, in the front hall by the doors. They arrived right on time, but their appearance prompted eye rolls from Hermione and Ginny. Their button-up shirts were just a shade too small and their make-up glamours were just a bit too much for daytime wear. The conversation lagged as Emmeline and Felicity blatantly angled for dates to the upcoming Halloween Masque.

Eventually, it was too much for Hermione to take. "You know, Ginny, I think it would be more fun to go without dates. Leave the formal dates for the balls. What do you think?"

Ginny considered her answer, but not for long. "You're on to something, Hermione. Let's do that! We'll go on our own." She turned to wink at Blaise. "That way we can dance with whomever we want." His responding slow smile sent a shiver down her spine. She tore her gaze from his and looked at the rest of the wizards. "Gentlemen, what do you think?"

Harry, already tired of Felicia – no Felicity's – incessant chatter and clinging hands, nodded quickly. "I'm in. Neville?"

Neville was far too polite to whoop in excitement, but he nodded. "Sure. Sounds like fun. Malfoy, Zabini? You in?"

"I am," Draco said easily. "Blaise?"

He inclined his head. "I don't see why not."

Clearly peeved that Hermione and Ginny had so easily stymied their efforts to obtain dates to the first major social event of the year, Felicity and Emmeline redoubled their efforts and turned their attentions to the Yule Ball and Hermione.

"So, Hermione do have a date to the Yule Ball?" Emmeline clearly expected Hermione to say she did not.

"Yes, Emmeline, I do." She didn't elaborate.

Clearly taken aback, Emmeline rallied. "Oh, that's so sweet. Draco, it's so considerate of you to go with her so she doesn't have to go alone."

Harry opened his mouth to defend Hermione but closed it with a snap when she fired back. "Actually, Draco isn't my date to the Yule Ball." She glanced at Neville for confirmation that he was on board with her setting his date straight. At his abrupt nod, she continued, "Neville is."

Emmeline's jaw dropped.

"You really should close your mouth, sweetie," Ginny taunted. "You might catch flies."

Four Hours Later

Eighth Tower

"I'm never saying yes if a girl I don't know asks me out ever again." Harry flopped down in his favorite chair, throwing his legs onto the ottoman.

"Me either." Neville had his hand in front his eyes, as if trying to block the image of the date from his head. "I can't believe they hounded Hermione that way."

"They went after her with all the subtlety of an unhind – whatever Luna called a basilisk." Harry shook his head in disgust. "I'd never curse a girl without good cause, but they were pushing it."

"Mate, she really can take care of herself. She took everything they dished and handed them their asses." Neville lifted his head from his hand. "Did you see the photographer at Three Broomsticks?"

"Yeah." Harry answered sourly. "Sirius is going to flip if this makes the paper."

Neville scoffed. "Yeah, right; you know it will. Probably tomorrow, so brace yourself for a Howler."

"Bugger." Harry dropped his head to the seat back. "Why does anyone care?"

"Because you're Harry fucking Potter." Draco's sardonic drawl intruded on their conversation as he dropped down into the chair opposite Harry. "And she's Hermione Granger. There's no more interesting couple than the two of you. The only thing that would be more perfect would be you with the Weaslette and Hermione with Ron, like some children's fairy tale."

Harry rolled his eyes. "We don't need to live our lives for everyone else."

"Are you sure? Because the press would love it. Both couples, two point five kids, all one big happy family, sending them off to Hogwarts to be another generation of perfect Gryffindors." He paused for effect. "The only thing more perfect for them would be for me to be in a loveless, arranged, pureblood marriage with one spoiled heir, certain to carry on the miserable life I've led, the eternal bad guy."

Harry looked faintly annoyed at the prospect. "Well, they aren't going to get Hermione and Ron or Ginny and me. It's just not going to happen."

"Why not?" Neville spoke up for the first time since Draco entered the conversation.

"Ginny and I just didn't work. When we were kissing, I wanted to be kissing someone else. It wasn't fair to anybody." Harry explained.

"So what was the look you gave when she kissed Blaise, then?" Neville pressed.

"That was me imagining Ron's reaction to Ginny, his precious baby sister, kissing Blaise."

"Enough said; I get it." Neville winced at Ron's inevitable reaction. "But I'm sure she can take care of herself even without five older brothers and a protective ex."

"As long as Zabini treats her well, everything will be – " Harry's comment was cut short by the wizard himself entering the room.

"Potter, Longbottom. Great time today. So when are you going out with your new girlfriends again?" Blaise made himself at home in the only remaining chair. "Quite clever, those Ravenclaws."

"Never." Harry didn't elaborate. But any girls who think the way to get my attention is to treat Hermione poorly have another think coming. Hell will freeze over before I go on another date with Felicia. No, Felicity. Whatever her name is.

"Why not? That Felicia girl seemed really into you. Or was it Felicity? Anyway, she likes you." Blaise responded.

Harry just shook his head.

Turning his attention to Neville, Blaise prodded, "What about you, Longbottom? Looking forward to your next date with Emmeline? Going to drop Granger and go to the Yule Ball with your Ravenclaw instead?"

"That thought never crossed my mind, Zabini." Neville continued, "I don't think Emmeline is really my type."

"So tell us; who is your type, Longbottom?" Draco chimed in. "Who is it that smells like winter and citrus? Do you even know?"

"Yeah, Malfoy. I do."

"Are you going to ask her out?"

"Maybe. But it's not your business. Now bugger off."

"I think it might be, Longbottom." Draco turned to Blaise and abruptly changed the subject. "Quidditch practice in an hour. You ready to fly?"

Sunday Morning

The Great Hall, Hogwarts

"TROUBLE IN PARADISE?"

Exclusive to the Prophet: Hermione Granger was spotted with none other than Draco Malfoy, former Death Eater and heir to Malfoy Industries, in Hogsmeade yesterday, apparently on a date. The Gryffindor Princess and Slytherin Prince chatted animatedly over tea and biscuits but were careful to avoid any public displays of affection. Harry Potter was also on hand with a lovely young woman sources tell us is a Ravenclaw sixth year. He kept a close eye on the new couple and cast more than a few warning glances at Mr. Malfoy, his roommate for the year at Hogwarts. Thus speculation continues to mount over the purported relationship between Miss Granger and Mr. Potter. Also present was Blaise Zabini, eighth year Slytherin; Ginevra (Ginny) Weasley, sister of Ronald Weasley, Gryffindor, and Hogwarts Head Girl; Neville Longbottom, eighth year Gryffindor, and another beautiful sixth year Ravenclaw. Incidentally, Ronald Weasley, it has been announced, was named Reserve Keeper for England's Quidditch team. He has not responded to our request for comment regarding the falling out between his best friends and the relationship between his sister and Mr. Zabini.

The three eighth year Gryffindors made identical sounds of disgust as they tossed aside their copies of the Daily Prophet.

"Of course, it'd be too much to ask for the Prophet to let us go on a simple date without making a society event of it," Hermione groused. "Why does this even matter?"

"At least they left the sixth-years' names out of it and blurred their pictures." Harry picked up his discarded paper for another look.

"It's because they're only sixteen and not in the public eye, yeah?" Neville agreed from behind his plate of eggs. "They might get sued by the parents otherwise."

"Who took the pictures, though? I didn't see a photographer." Hermione stared at the pictures, trying to determine the location of the culprit.

Harry's eyes narrowed in thought. "Neville and I think we spotted him. I've seen him before: brown cloak, clean-shaven with brown hair. I think he was outside Three Broomsticks when our picture got snapped with Sirius and Molly. Remember him?"

"No." Hermione thought back. No, I really don't remember a whole lot between the kiss on the road and then the start of the disastrous talk. A raging hippogriff might have drawn my attention, but not much else. "Where was he yesterday?"

"Sitting about three tables away."

An image snapped into her mind. "Short hair with a few grays? And it was kind of shaggy, like it needed a cut?" Harry and Neville nodded. "Yes, I do remember him. But I didn't see a camera."

"I didn't see one either, but he could have had a small one. And I'm almost certain he was the same man across the street when we were meeting Molly and Sirius. If I see him again, I'll find out," Harry promised.

Dinner

Eighth Year Table

The Great Hall

Harry groaned when he recognized Cassie, Sirius's owl, swooping towards him. At least the envelope wasn't red. The regal black owl with gray spots landed between him and Hermione and held out its leg. Before he could detach the letter, Ron's owl, Pig, joined her and jockeyed for position on the table, jumping about, making it almost impossible to get Ron's letter. After a few moments of struggle, Hermione and Harry managed to get both letters, gave the owls a bit of beef, and sent them on their way. The letters were addressed to the two of them.

"I think I'd rather read what Ron has to say first." Harry started to tear open the letter when Hermione interrupted him.

"No, let's read them later in one of our rooms. That way we can talk."

Thirty minutes later, Harry tore open the letter from Ron and read aloud.

Harry & Hermione,

Just got some rubbish owl about an article in the Prophet and you being on a date with other people. It must have been wrong because it said Hermione was on a date with that prat Malfoy. And who is this Ravenclaw chick, Harry? Weird. Decided not to answer, but tell me what's going on.

Practice is hard, but going well. Got an exhibition match against the Cannons in a few weeks. Hope to see you both soon.

Ron

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Hermione reached for Sirius's letter. "I'm sure Sirius will be fine." She quickly skimmed the letter before she started reading aloud and blanched.

Harry & Hermione,

Molly and I told you both to stay out of the paper! We know it's unfair. And this could have been much worse. But Harry, a sixth year? Too young. Hermione – Malfoy? Really? Tomorrow's Prophet will be full of Gryffindor's Princess and Slytherin's Prince, reformed Death Eater, etc. Unless you want to find yourself married to him, I suggest you be more discreet!

Do not make Molly and me come back there. We can't forbid either of your from doing anything, but we're trying to protect you both. AND YOU'RE MAKING THAT UNNECESSARILY HARD.

Have you found your rat yet? Noticed that nothing private has been posted, which is very good. Keep it that way.

I'll be up for the first Quidditch match. How did tryouts go, Harry?

Sirius

Hermione gnawed on her lower lip in thought, distracting Harry with the resulting reddened, slightly swollen look of it. She was saying something, but his thoughts weren't with her. I'd like to bite that lip.

"Harry, Harry! Are you listening?"

"What? Yeah. I'm sorry, what were you saying?" Harry shook himself free of his fantasy of kissing her again like they had just a few nights ago.

"I was saying that it could have been much worse."

"Oh, yeah. I didn't think about the speculation about you and Malfoy."

"Whatever. Let them talk. I don't care. Eventually, they'll talk about someone else." Hermione brushed off the concern.

"But what if Sirius is right? What if people use your social life against you? I mean, I dated several witches over the summer and it was no big deal, but it seems to be much more serious now." Harry, so long worried about saving the world, now found himself in the unfamiliar place of worrying about something he long considered trivial: a reputation. And he found that protecting Hermione and her reputation mattered quite a bit to him.

Hermione returned to chewing on her lip, and Harry stifled a groan as his body reacted to the unintentional provocation. Please stop doing that.

As if responding to his unspoken request, Hermione released her lip from her teeth. "So what are we going to do? Ignore it? Issue a statement asking for privacy?" She paused. "I know. We'll ask McGonagall. She can help."

Monday Afternoon

Headmistress's Office

"So, Miss Granger, you're asking me if you should issue a statement, asking for privacy?" McGonagall asked, her fingers steepled in front of her.

"Yes, ma'am. Famous Muggles do it all the time. They ask that their children have privacy. And since we're still at school, I thought it might help," Hermione explained.

McGonagall brought her steepled fingers down and clasped them in front of her on the desk, considering Hermione over her glasses.

"No, Miss Granger, I do not believe you should issue such a statement." She paused. "I will do it in my capacity as Headmistress of Hogwarts. But, you should know it will, in all likelihood, not work. It is, however, as our Muggle friends might say, worth a shot."

I hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading! Please let me know if you enjoyed it. :)