Harry woke up, still clutching his book. He'd read late into the night following his first dinner with Susan. They had talk a bit, mostly about Emy the house elf, but they had talked. Harry had felt that it was a good start, though he wasn't truly sure of what the end result was supposed to be. Sure, they were going to be married, but other than that...

Harry sat up, placed the book on the bedside table and went to relieve himself. After a quick shower, Harry threw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt before heading down to breakfast. Susan and Hannah were still asleep, and Amelia was preparing to head to the Ministry.

"Good morning Harry." She smiled.

"Good morning." Harry replied, taking a seat. Almost at once, Emy appeared carrying a plate of eggs, bacon, potatoes, toast and a pitcher of juice, which she set in front of Harry.

"Thank you Emy." Harry said. The elf bowed and was back in her kitchen.

"I'll be late tonight, so you three are going to be on your own. I'm trusting you all to stay here and keep out of trouble."

"I don't think that'll be a problem. I'm just going to read, and maybe write a few letters." Harry said honestly.

"Don't spend all your time hidden away Harry. You and Susan should really try to spend time together. Trust me when I tell you that it will only help you both in the future if you make the attempt to build some kind of friendship now."

"I promise that I'll try." Harry said earnestly. "Do you know when I'll be able to see Ron and Hermione?"

"I am hopeful that you'll see them Saturday." Amelia smiled. "I'll be making some arrangements today, so I'll have a better idea tonight. Also, it might do you some good to try some of the things you've been studying up on in the basement today."

Harry's face lit up as he remembered that he was allowed to use magic thanks to the permit he'd gotten the day before. Amelia couldn't help but smile at the look on Harry's face. She gave him a wave and headed off to work, leaving Harry to contemplate what he might accomplish this summer now that he was free to practice magic.

Harry finished the rest of his breakfast quickly and then headed to his room to retrieve his book, before nearly sprinting to the basement with his wand.

The basement was similar to what the Room of Requirement had provided for the DA. It was fairly large and open with a practice dummy on one end, and mats on the floor for when you were knocked down. Harry opened his book and set it on a table against the wall. He re read the instructions of one of the spells that had intrigued him the night before, and began practicing it over and over until he started getting consistent results. When he was satisfied that he'd gotten the spell down, he started to look for a new one to practice. It was then that his stomach gave an almighty rumble. He had no idea why he was so hungry, but decided he should go and see if Emy would allow him something to eat.

When he reached the sitting room, he saw the clock and discovered he'd been working downstairs for nearly four hours.

"Wow." Harry muttered.

He headed towards the kitchen when he heard music coming from outside. He also heard Susan and Hannah's voices. He walked closer, intending to poke his head out and say hello.

"Hey there Harry!" Hannah called when she saw him. "Where have you been all morning?"

"The basement." Harry said as he came nearer. Both the girls sat at a small table with a large umbrella over them, each wearing cut off shorts and light tank tops. They were enjoying some cut fruit and juice. Susan offered Harry a slice of melon, which he took gratefully as he sat down. Harry noted that she had her red hair pulled into a loose ponytail instead of the normal plait she wore at school.

"We were wondering if you were going to continue the DA this year?" Susan asked.

Harry noticed how soft her blue eyes looked, and shrugged.

"Honestly, I hadn't given it much thought." Harry said honestly. "We just started it because Umbridge was so terrible. I can't really say for sure until we see who the new Defense teacher will be."

"I think we should continue it." Hannah said flatly. "Even if we get a competent teacher, We could all use extra practice."

"What were you practicing today?" Susan asked as she popped a grape into her mouth.

"Just a spell I found in the book I bought on your aunt's suggestion. I think I've got it, but I'm going to ask Tonks on Friday when I go practice with her."

"Auror Tonks?" Susan asked interestedly.

"Do you know her?" Harry perked up.

"By reputation only." Susan grinned. "She's one of Auntie's favorites. She calls her the walking disaster because she supposed to be quite clumsy, but Auntie says she's one of the best Aurors she's had in years. She's supposed to be able to change herself whenever she wants, and she doesn't use glamour charms."

"She's a metamorphmagus." Harry confirmed. "When I first met her, I saw her change her hair from purple to bright pink. Then she kept changing her nose at dinner. She's really great."

"That would be so cool." Hannah smiled. "I could make my boobs bigger whenever I wanted."

Harry began choking on the melon he'd been chewing. Susan had to give him three hard smacks on his back before he was able to breathe again.

"You'll have to forgive Hannah. She doesn't have a filter on her mouth." Susan smiled.

"Oh, like he's never heard a girl talk about her bits before." Hannah remarked. "Surely Hermione's..."

"Never said anything about her body in front of me." Harry said quickly, mostly because he didn't want to end up picturing Hermione inflating and deflating her chest. As it was, the image of Hannah doing it was almost too much.

"What about Lavender or Parvati?" Hannah asked. Harry only shook his head.

"Ok, you had to have heard one of the girls on your team in the locker room talk about that. Don't you guys all shower together after matches anyway?"

"What?" Harry asked quite shocked. "NO!"

"Really?" Susan asked, looking quite surprised. "That doesn't happen in Gryffindor?"

"No." Harry shook his head. "The girls have their own showers, and we change in separate rooms." Harry said. "Why would you think that we all shower together?"

"Rumors mostly." Hannah admitted. "The story is that Quidditch teams shower together, and sometimes other stuff happens. Although, I don't think it's true of Slytherin, since there aren't any girls on the team."

"What do you mean by other stuff?" Harry asked, not sure if her really wanted to know the answers.

"Oh come on Harry, you're not that naive." Hannah grinned, rolling her eyes. "You win a game, the adrenaline is still pumping, you get into the shower and see Katie Bell naked and wet and soapy, and you do what comes naturally…"

"NO!" Harry shook his head vehemently. "I've never done anything like that. And I don't think it's ever happened."

"It happens on the Hufflepuff team." Susan said, turning red as soon as the words left her mouth.

"And just how is it you know that?" Hannah asked, with a sly grin.

"The same way you know. We heard Kathleen Ivy talking about it last year." Susan said defensively.

"Are you having me on?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"No, she's telling the truth." Hannah nodded. "We heard lots of stories about other Hufflepuffs getting up to all sorts of things. The closer to exams the more randy our house got. We heard rumors that it was really intense in Ravenclaw house, but nothing compared to you Gryffindors."

Harry looked gobsmacked. Hannah and Susan kept exchanging looks of confusion as they watched Harry trying to process this new information.

"I never heard or saw anything that would make me think anything like that was happening." Harry admitted finally. "But, there are always loads of rumors, so how can you even be sure about any of it."

"We're sure.' Hannah said, with a knowing look to Susan, who blushed.

"How?"

"Did you ever play truth or dare?" Hannah asked. Harry shook his head and Hannah sighed. "What the hell do you Gryffindors do? Study and play chess all the time?"

Harry thought about it for a moment before nodding which made Hannah's jaw drop.

"Really?" She nearly shrieked.

"We've had parties when we've won Quidditch matches, but nothing really crazy happens, that I've seen anyway." Harry said, looking at Susan who looked just as surprised as Hannah.

"I'm.. .I'm shocked." Hannah said after a long moment. "From all we've heard, you guys were supposed to be the biggest bunch of sex crazed maniacs in the school. I mean, just the stories about Lavender Brown alone. I actually imagined there were like full blown orgies or something.

Harry looked quite uncomfortable, but shook his head. "No. It's not like that at all."

"Maybe it is, but you've never seen it." Susan suggested. "It's not like it would be happening in the Common room after all."

"That's a good point." Hannah said. "Stuff usually happens in the Boys dorms, as boys can't get into the girls rooms. Maybe you just never saw it."

"I suppose it's possible." Harry shrugged.

"I guess you can't believe everything you hear." Hannah said with a sigh. "Take you for instance."

"What about me?" Harry asked.

"Come on Harry, there are loads of rumors about you going around. Probably more about you than the rest of the school combined. In Second year, everyone thought you were the heir of Slytherin. No one ever found out if it was true or not. The rumor just sort of died off."

"I'm not the heir of Slytherin." Harry said wryly. "And probably most of what you might have heard is utter rubbish."

"Can we find out?" Susan asked. Harry saw the look of interest on her face. Something about the way she was looking at him at the moment made him feel comfortable. She was asking politely, not demanding, or pressuring him. Similar to the way Amelia was when they talked about the more personal things the day before.

"I guess." Harry shrugged non-commitally.

"Really?" Susan asked.

"Yeah, I guess. But if I don't want to answer, we drop it and move on, ok?" Harry said, and both girls nodded in agreement.

"Is it true that you fought a basilisk? I know that Neville said you did, but he also says he wasn't there. He heard it from a portrait." Hannah asked, leaning forward in her seat a bit.

"Yeah." Harry sighed wearily, avoiding the girls stares. He always hated the impressed way people looked at him whenever they heard the things he'd accomplished.

"Wow." Hannah said, looking to Susan who looked equally impressed.

"What about the story that you're part veela?" Susan asked. She brushed a stray lock of red hair that had fallen loose from her ponytail behind her ear.

"Where did that one come from?" Harry asked, looking like he might bust out laughing.

"Some girls noticed that you were one of the only boys who didn't get all flustered around that French girl during the Tournament." Susan explained. "The story was that you were part Veela yourself, and that's how you were able resist her feminine wiles.

"So far as I know, that's not true." Harry said. "I think it might be similar to being able to resist the Imperius curse."

"That actually kind of makes sense." Hannah nodded. "But what about you and Hermione Granger?"

"What about us?"

"The stories that you two were involved?" Hannah asked, with a pointed look.

"No. She's my best friend. Like a sister to me. Besides, I'm pretty sure Ron fancies her."

"Too bad for him that she's taken." Susan grumbled.

"Huh?" Harry looked confused.

"Don't tell me you don't know your best friend is dating Zacharias Smith." Hannah said with utter surprise.

"No, I didn't." Harry admitted. "I told you we never really talk about stuff like that. When did they start dating?"

"Shortly before school let out." Susan said, trying to disguise the contempt in her voice. "He'd apparently fancied her for a while, and after your adventure in the Ministry, he asked her out when she was still in the hospital."

"Huh." Harry said, his eyes distant. "I wonder why she never told me."

"Can I ask about you and Cho?" Susan asked. Her tone was still irritable but softer now. Harry looked at her and shrugged.

"Isn't much to tell really. We kissed once. Had one date, that was a disaster and a half, and that's it. I don't know if she was ready to be with anyone, and I think she only wanted to be with me because of what happened..." Harry trailed off, his eyes lowering. Susan knew that Harry didn't want to go into this topic further.

"How is it you can say You-Know-Who's name so easily?" Hannah asked. "I noticed you did it all the time in the DA. I've never met anyone who didn't freak out at the name."

"It's just a name." Harry shrugged. "Not even his real name."

"What's his real name?" Susan asked now very interested.

"Tom. Tom Marvolo Riddle. He's a half blood. His father was a muggle. Not even a muggleborn, but a muggle."

"Ok, you're making that up." Hannah said, folding her arms over her chest, her face scrunched in disbelief.

"No." Harry said shaking his head. "He told me that his father was a Muggle on two occasions. He mixed up the letter of his name to create his new identity."

"What do you think would happen if his followers found out he wasn't some all powerful Pure Blood?" Susan wondered.

"They might turn on him." Harry shrugged. "But then again maybe not. They're more afraid of him then we are. I just can't understand how anyone could be so faithful to someone who tortures them and kills them whenever he feels the urge."

"Wow. I'm way less afraid to say Tom Riddle." Hannah said looking quite proud.

"I know." Susan replied. "It's amazing how a little tidbit of information like that can change how you perceive everything."

They fell silent for a bit as the girls came to terms with all they bad just learned. Harry ate a few more slices of melon, unsure if he should say anything more, and completely flummoxed for what he would say.

"Ok, I think that's enough serious stuff." Hannah said firmly. "While I'm happy I learned all that, it wasn't my intention. I wanted us to get to know you a bit better, Harry. You're quite a mystery."

"No, I'm not." Harry said. "I'm not different from anyone else. I like quidditch, and spending time with my friends. I've just had some unique things happen to me."

"Ok, but you're still a major mystery. You Ron and Hermione have this little wall around you that no one can get through. Gryffindor's golden trio."

"What?" Harry asked laughing now. "Golden what?"

"That's what people call you guys." Susan smiled, feeling that she liked Harry's laugh.

"That's barmy. Why do they call us that?" Harry asked, still chuckling.

"Well, whenever something happens, it's usually you three at the heart of it. The troll in first year," Hannah smirked ticking off her fingers. "All that stuff with Sirius Black, the Ministry and the DA last year. You three always find trouble, and manage to get out of it."

"We're not some special club or anything, we're just really good friends, and if you had been there with us through all of that would the rest of the school call us the fab four, or the platinum quad?" Harry asked, holding his stomach, and wiping away tears. Both Susan and Hannah had begun to chuckle being mesmerized by Harry's mirth.

"Ok, ok. But you are still a huge mystery. No one really knows anything about you that's true. For instance, do you prefer blondes, brunettes or redheads?"

"What?" Harry began laughing again. "What kind of question is that?"

"It's a good one." Hannah argued. "Given the girls we've seen you with, one could assume you prefer brunettes. Hermione Granger, Parvati Patil, Cho Chang."

"I don't think I have a preference of hair color." Harry shrugged, his laughing dying away. "Hermione's my best friend, Parvati was just my date for the Yule Ball, and that didn't go all that well, and I told you about Cho."

"Then that suggests that you and brunettes aren't a good match." Hannah pointed out. "I will say that you do tend to lean towards smarter witches. Hermione is undeniably brilliant, and Cho is in Ravenclaw. Parvati is not as air headed as Lavender."

"Ok, I do think I like a girl who has brains." Harry admitted. "But I couldn't tell you why. I just don't know why anyone would want to be with some one who has sawdust for brains."

"Well lucky you. Susan's like sixth in our year." Hannah smiled. Susan blushed and Harry turned to look at Susan, who nodded meekly.

"That's really cool." Harry said reaching out to take his glass for a drink.

"What's that?" Susan asked, already knowing as she pointed to Harry's hand. Harry nearly dropped his glass as he tried to put his hand in his lap. Susan managed to take hold of his hand and draw it closer to her. Harry tried to pull it away from her, but she wasn't letting go.

"It's nothing." Harry said, clearly uncomfortable.

"That's not nothing." Susan argued. "Calm down and let me see it." She said.

Harry snapped his arm back, nearly pulling Susan out of her chair.

"I said it was nothing." Harry snapped.

"Sorry." Susan said looking to Hannah who looked quite shocked by Harry's reaction.

"I'm going to head back downstairs." Harry said quickly, getting up from his seat and heading back into the house.

"Well, that was... unexpected." Hannah said.

"I shouldn't have tried to... I just noticed his hand, and remembered what you said '. I shouldn't have done it."

"Maybe, but his reaction was... It was unbelievable. I mean... It was like he was afraid of you or something,"

"Why would he be afraid of me?" Susan wondered.

"Good question."

Harry sat down heavily on the mat, his back against the wall of the basement training room. He knew he had overreacted, but he just didn't want any pity from Susan and Hannah, or anyone else. He just wanted to be treated normally.

They'd been having such a nice time up until that moment. He guessed he couldn't blame her for being curious, especially if everything that they had said was true about all the rumors about him. But he didn't want anymore things floating around about him.

Taking a few calming breaths, Harry tried to calm himself. He even tried to empty his mind like Snape had constantly told him to do the previous year. His life was such a mess, and quite frankly he was sick of it. But he wasn't sure how to fix it. He had a psychotic wizard out for his life, and now, he was engaged to be married, and he wasn't even sixteen yet. Harry wondered why nothing in his life could ever be simple.

He finally calmed down and began to think about what his life was going to be like married to Susan Bones. After spending a bit of time with her, he was positive that she was very pretty. Physically he found her very desirable. He liked her atheletic figure, and her smooth legs. He found himself continually fascinated by her crystal blue eyes, and her full lips, and the smattering of freckles across her nose.

He'd also enjoyed talking to her, even though in hindsight, it had been Hannah who'd done the majority of all the talking. Susan had been rather reserved. Harry guessed she felt as awkward and unsure as he had. Harry hoped they wouldn't be that way forever.

He shook his head and ran his hands through his messy black hair, wondering if there maybe wasn't some way to break the contract that no one had thought of yet. He guessed that if he were killed, then Susan would be free to fall in love with whomever she chose to. After all, there was a real good chance of that.

"Harry?"

Harry turned and saw Susan standing in the doorway.

"I wanted to apologize. It was really rude of me to just grab your hand like that. I just... I heard about the scars, and I didn't believe it until I saw your hand. I wanted a better look, and I just forgot that..."

"It's alright." Harry said softly, though his tone was hard. He felt bad when he saw Susan flinch. He took a deep breath and beckoned her over to him. She tentatively came over and sat next to him. Harry offered his hand for inspection, unsure of why he was doing

So.

Susan accepted his hand, and this time, her touch was much softer and gentler. Her fingers were like silk against his hand as she traced the writing there.

"So it's true, she did make you use a blood quill." Susan said softly. Harry closed his eyes, nodding once. For some reason, he was enjoying Susan's touch. He couldn't say exactly why, but it was nice.

Susan just continued to trace a soft finger on the slightly raised scars that had been carved on the back of Harry's hand.

"Why didn't you ever tell anyone? Hermione and Ron must have know, why didn't they tell anyone?"

"I made them swear not to." Harry said, taking his hand back, feeling suddenly less at ease. "It was my battle, not theirs."

"But what she did to you was torture, Harry, and it's ok to ask for help sometimes."

"You sound like Hermione." Harry sighed. "I just felt like it was something between me and Umbridge, and I just felt that I needed to do it myself. IF I went running to someone for help, I guess I thought I'd be weak or something."

"That's stupid." Susan said, though she immediately winced. "I didn't mean it to sound like that, but you've got to know that your reasoning was stupid. It's never weakness to ask for help, especially when someone is torturing you."

"It's always been that way for me." Harry sighed. "I..."

"What?" Susan asked when Harry didn't continue. He merely shook his head and Susan sighed. She wanted to push, but after what had happened upstairs, she felt it better to leave it for now.

"This is just so unfair." Harry said flatly.

"You mean the contract?"

"Can you honestly say you're happy we're getting married?" Harry asked.

"No." Susan said honestly. "I always imagined meeting my future husband, and dating, and falling in love and being taken to someplace special and having him propose to me with a nice ring and on his knee and all that. But, I suppose that's not going to happen is it?"

"Sorry." Harry said bitterly. "Maybe if Voldemort had finished me off..."

"Don't you say that!" Susan snapped, making Harry recoil in surprise. "You've helped make a lot of people's lives better. If it wasn't for you no one would have passed their OWLs. If it wasn't for you, no one would have found out the You-Know-Who was back. If it wasn't for you, a lot more people would be dead, and a lot more families destroyed."

Susan finished her tirade, glaring at Hairy for several moments. Harry just stared back, unsure what to say. Susan looked like she might smack him if he tried to argue with her, so he kept his mouth shut.

"I won't have you talking like that anymore, Harry Potter." Susan said, her voice softer now, though still very firm. "And I won't have you wallowing in self pity. Yes, things are kind of bad right now, but they aren't so bad that you dying is going to fix everything."

"It might fix a few things. The contract will be nullified..." Harry started to point out, but Susan's glare became colder, and Harry shut his mouth quickly.

"Let's get something straight between us right now. Yes, I had other ideas in mind for what I wanted to happen in my life, but that's all changed, and I have to adjust. But I count myself lucky. It could have been loads worse. I could have been forced to marry some disgusting old man from Russia with three teeth and smelling of dragon dung. I know that You-Know-Who wants you dead, and I'm not so stupid as to think that I won't be on his list now that you and I are betrothed. But I don't want you to die just so I can marry someone I actually am in love with."

"What about Zach?" Harry asked. It was Susan's turn to recoil in surprise.

"I figured you liked him when you mentioned he and Hermione were together. It was the way you said her name, like it left a sour taste in your mouth."

"I don't have anything against Hermione personally," Susan began with a sigh. "It's just that I had a crush on him since the start of fourth year. I tried all last year to get him to notice me. I practically threw myself at him, but he fell for Hermione. In a lot of ways, I think they're perfect for each other. But, I still have feelings for him, and they're not going to just go away in an instant."

"I know the feeling." Harry nodded.

"Cho?" Susan asked.

"I liked her since third year, and even asked her to the Yule Ball, but she was already going with Cedric. Then when we got together... I don't know. It wasn't what I thought it would be. It's not like I even have a clue how to do the whole dating thing in the first place, but I always felt awkward and uncomfortable around her. I don't think it's supposed to be like that."

'There's supposed to be a bit of that in the beginning." Susan shrugged. "Especially if you like someone a lot. But it goes away as you become more comfortable and you get to know each other. We're having that problem right now, but it's compounded because of our situation."

"I'm sorry for freaking out like that earlier." Harry said softly. Susan just waved it off.

"I'm sorry for pushing. I know that this is going to take time, and we have to be patient, and give each other time to adjust to the idea of it all."

"So what are we supposed to do?" Harry asked. Susan shrugged again and they fell into a nervous silence. Susan played with some of the frayed strings on her cut offs while Harry twirled his wand.

"Well, maybe I should let you get back to your practicing." Susan said, standing up. "We can talk later. We've got like all summer."

"Ok." Harry said. Susan made for the door, stopping to turn and look at him. She looked like she was going to say something else. But she just headed up the stairs leaving Harry to contemplate their conversation.

Susan was very strong willed when she was pushed, or something didn't sit well with her. Harry had to admire that in her. She was also quite observant. She had figured out what their situation had done to her life, and how she was now in danger. On top of that, Harry couldn't deny that she was very pretty. So, like Susan, he had to consider himself lucky, He could have ended up with someone like Millicent Bulstrode, whom Harry was convinced was part troll. So, while his predicament wasn't by any means fair, it could have been much worse. He was being given a chance to get to know his future bride. They were being given the chance to become friends. And who could tell, maybe, possibly, they could actually develop romantic feelings for each other one day.

Harry took a few breaths and push all of his romantic issues out of his mind. His first concern right now, and for the foreseeable future was to survive and that meant he needed to train himself and practice his spell work. Voldemort had a wealth of knowledge when it came to dark magic. Harry needed to make himself equally knowledgeable in Defensive magic.

Harry got to his feet, and went to the book he'd been studying thoroughly. He chose a new spell to begin work on, and reread the chapter and began practicing the wand movements.

Susan returned to her bedroom where Hannah was now reading a magazine. The blonde sat up when she noticed her best friend.

"So?"

"I apologized for being so grabby, and he apologized for freaking out on me. We talked a bit, and then he said things would be better if he were dead."

"What?" Hannah asked in shock.

"I kind of yelled at him about it. But then we talked a little more. This whole thing is just stupid. He's got so much to worry about right now, and this is just something he doesn't need."

"What are you talking about?" Hannah asked.

"You-Know-Who." Susan said sharply. "He's not going to stop going after Harry until one of them is dead, and let's face it, there's a real good chance that Harry won't survive the next time they meet. Harry's good, but, he's also pretty lucky. Sooner or later, that luck's going to run out."

"Wow. I guess I never really thought about it." Hannah admitted. "That's too much for anyone."

"I guess that's why he trains like he does. He just wants a chance to live like anyone else." Susan said. "To grow up and be happy. But fate just keeps throwing all these things at him."

"Yeah, but he's managed to beat the odds every time." Hannah pointed out. "You can't tell me it's all luck."

"No." Susan shook her head. "He told us he's usually had help. But what happens when he doesn't have help, and his luck has run out? I don't want him to just give up and get himself killed. I want him to keep fighting. I'd want to keep fighting."

"So give him a reason to keep fighting." Hannah said. "Show him why he needs to fight with every ounce of his being, heart and soul."

"And just how am I supposed to do that?" Susan asked with a wry smirk.

"Just do what comes naturally." Hannah grinned. "Let him catch you coming out of the shower without a towel. Let your bikini slip a bit. Give a good look at your bits every now and then. Maybe give him a taste of that peach lip gloss you're so fond of."

"You really need to do something about your hormones." Susan rolled her eyes.

"What do you think I plan to do when I see Neville next?" Hannah began to laugh as Susan's face turned a bright reddish hue.

They all had dinner when Amelia finally got home. Amelia regaled them with a few tales of some of the things happening around the Ministry. They were all interested to hear that Fudge was flailing to save his job, even though it was clear he knew he was on his way out.

"It's looking like Rufus Scrimgeour will likely get the nod this Friday." Amelia said as she cut her lamb chops. "If that happens, I imagine that we'll be gearing up to take on Riddle and his sycophants."

"Who's Riddle?" Hannah asked.

Amelia smiled and looked to Harry. "You-Know-Who. His real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle, a half blood from Little Hangleton."

"Oh, that's right. Harry was telling us that earlier." Susan remarked.

"Yep. Father was a muggle and his mother was a witch named Merope Gaunt. She died after giving birth to him, and he was raised in an orphanage that burned down about thirty years ago." Amelia finished.

"Where did you learn all that?" Susan asked.

"Well, Harry here got me started." Amelia replied. "I found a lot in the Hall of Records. Tom Riddle's records end right around the time his alter ego became more and more active."

"What else did you find out?" Harry asked curiously.

"Not much that was useful." Amelia said. "He received a special award for services to Hogwarts. Graduated top of his class and then he worked at Borgin and Burke's after Hogwarts for about two years, and then he just disappeared."

"Top of his class and then he goes to work in a shop?" Susan asked with confusion.

"That's a bit odd, isn't it?"

"I bit, but not unheard of." Amelia said. "How was your day?"

"Well, Harry practiced in the basement most of the day." Hannah said. Amelia cocked an eyebrow at him.

"I came out for a bit, and we talked outside for a bit." Harry said defensively. Amelia didn't comment, but he could tell she was a bit disappointed.

"Auntie, I've was wondering if I could get a permit to practice magic, so then I could train with Harry. It would be good for him to have a partner down there, and it would be really good for me to be better prepared, given everything."

Amelia looked impressed as she gazed at Susan, who seemed to be avoiding her aunt's eyes. Harry was also staring at Susan with a look of deep impression. When Susan did look up, she mistook her Aunt's look for something else.

"I just thought that since we're... you know, and with Riddle coming after Harry..."

"You don't need to explain yourself." Amelia said cutting her niece off. "I'm impressed that you seemed to have thought about everything. We haven't had the chance to sit down and discuss everything properly."

"It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Harry is Riddle's biggest target. He's always trying to get Harry, and I don't think he's above kidnapping or anything like that to get to him. It makes sense that Harry is surrounded by people who can take care of themselves so he doesn't have to protect everyone."

"Very well said." Amelia nodded. "Tomorrow I'll get the forms, and we'll get you a permit. But I don't want you both working out all day. You have to promise me that you'll spend time having fun and just being kids as well as working hard, alright?"

"We will." Susan said, grinning now, as she glanced at Harry who was smiling. Susan looked to Hannah who gave a very suggestive look to her best friend, who gave a warning glare.

Susan had been thinking most of the afternoon about a way to get past all the awkwardness and unease between her and Harry. The answer had been painfully obvious in the end. With Voldemort after him, Harry was likely going to spend all his time training himself. Why shouldn't she try and train with him? They would then be spending time together, and she would be learning to protect herself and possibly him as well. Plus, while they were training, they could talk and finally start getting to know one another. And then who knew?

Susan wasn't sure what she thought might happen, but at least this way she was making an effort. And in the end, that's all that really mattered.