When Ron arrived back at the Burrow, he felt like he'd just walked into an inquisition. All the Weasleys were waiting for him, with the obvious exceptions of Charlie and Percy. Even Bill's new girlfriend was there, which only made Ron more nervous. His father, Arthur Weasley sat in his favorite chair, with his wife Molly, sitting beside him in a similar chair. The twins were standing just behind their parents, both with identical eager grins. Ginny sat on the couch next to Bill who held the hand of his girlfriend Fleur Delacour.

"How was your day with Harry, son?" Mr. Weasley asked, a genuine smile on his face.

"It was good." Ron said evenly.

"So why is Harry at Madam Bones house?" Mrs. Weasley demanded. Ron immediately deflated. He'd been expecting this, but he had still held out hope that his mother might just this once, try not to interfere.

"Now Molly..."

"No, Arthur. I want to know why he's there and not with us where he belongs. After everything that's happened to that poor boy, he deserves, no, he needs to be with people who actually care about him." Mrs. Weasley said quickly before turning sharp eyes on her youngest son.

But it wasn't his mother's gaze that made Ron anxious. It was that of his sister, Ginny. Ron knew that Ginny, despite having begun dating Dean Thomas, still had very strong feelings for his best friend. Ron had even held a secret wish for his best friend and his sister to get together. Ron, though he had five brothers already, liked the idea of Harry Potter becoming a real member of the family. Ron feared when Ginny heard what had happened to Harry she might do something crazy.

"So what happened Ron?" Bill asked.

"About a week ago." Ron started. "Madam Bones got a letter from Gringotts, and it said that there was a betrothal contract for her niece Susan."

"Really?" Fleur asked looking horrified. "I thought marriage contracts were a thing of the past?"

"I think we all did." Arthur said. "I can't remember the last time I heard of a marriage contract being written up for anyone. The more militant pure blood families don't even do that anymore. They just encourage their children to marry into similar families."

"But that doesn't explain why Harry is staying with Madam Bones." Mrs. Weasley said.

"Um, I think it does." Fred said, looking pointedly at his mother.

"Plain as day to me." George affirmed.

Mrs. Weasley looked at her twin sons, and then to her husband, then to her oldest son, who gave his girlfriend a rather showy embrace and finally to Ron, all of whom wore the same expression of understanding.

"Oh no." Mrs. Weasley said, her hand going to her mouth in shock.

"Harry has to marry Susan Bones?" Ginny sputtered, her eyes widening in shock. "You're joking!"

Ron shook his head. "He explained it all to Hermione and me today. Neither of them are too happy about it."

"I should think not." Mrs. Weasley said. "Why would Lily and James do such a thing as to write up a marriage contract for their only son, and take away any hope for happiness he might have?"

"It wasn't his parents who did it." Ron said quickly. "The contact's been around for like a hundred years. Harry said the parameters were never met until now. He said it wasn't even supposed to be for the Potters. It was the family before the Potters. His ancestors or something like that."

"Can they get out of it?" Bill asked. Ron shook his head.

"Harry said that Madam Bones talked to the Goblins about it, but there doesn't seem to be any way to break it. Harry and Susan will be married when Susan turns nineteen, and then they have to have a baby."

"WHAT?" Mrs. Weasley shrieked. Ginny went pale, and her head fell into her hands.

"How is Harry taking all of this?" Mr. Weasley said calmly, getting to his feet and busying himself making tea for everyone.

"I think he's ok with it." Ron said. "I mean, he's definitely upset, but he's handling it ok for now. He says he's more focused on You-Know-Who right now. Madam Bones got him special permission to use magic and he's going to be training with Aurors over the summer."

"It's too much." Mrs. Weasley said, shaking her head. "It's too much for him."

"Molly, you need to calm down." Mr. Weasley said.

"I will not calm down. That poor boy has done more than enough already. It's time we all start thinking about what he wants for a change. He's not even sixteen years old, and he's already engaged to be married, against his will, and the world expects him to save them all from You-Know-Who? It's too much. What about what he wants? What about his dreams?"

"I agree that it is unfair, but what would you have us do?" Arthur asked.

"Those old contract were pretty tough." Bill said. "I imagine that both Harry and Susan could lose their magic if they try to break it. Or they could even be killed over it."

Mrs. Weasley stared horrified at her eldest, who did cower a bit under her scorching glare.

"You're not helping, Bill." Mr. Weasley said, shaking his head, and using his wife's distraction to put a generous pour of fire whiskey into her cup of tea.

"Sorry." Bill said.

At that moment, Ginny had enough, and stormed up the stairs, but not before Ron had seen that there were tears in her eyes. Ron's heart sank as he watched her rush past him.

"You see?" Mrs. Weasley shouted. "Even Ginny's upset."

"Yeah, but probably because any hope she had of being married to Harry just evaporated." Fred said darkly.

"Oh stop it." Mrs. Weasley shook her head. "Yes, your sister had a tiny crush on Harry when she was younger, but she's grown up and..."

"She's now madly in love with him?" George asked.

"She's got a boyfriend." Mrs. Weasley pointed out. "If she really liked Harry in that way, I'm sure she would have told him. They would have been dating by now."

"Except for the fact that she can't speak around him." Fred snickered.

"At least not without blushing like a tomato or putting her elbow in butter." George smiled, and Fred laughed at the memory.

"She's talked to him loads." Ron defended his sister. "Hermione told me that she was dating other guys so she could get comfortable with herself, and not do stupid things when Harry was about. It was working, too. Ginny's been able to talk to him loads and not giggle, or blush or any of that."

"You sound like you wanted them to get together." Bill said.

"Why not?' Ron said with a shrug. "He's my best friend, and I know he'd treat her right. I know it's her choice and all, but I just hoped, you know?"

"I think we all did." Mr. Weasley smiled. "I've never in my life met as remarkable a young man as Harry Potter, and it would have been nice to welcome him to our family in that way."

"Oh, she must be so broken hearted." Mrs. Weasley said, looking to the ceiling to where her only daughter was likely curled up on her bed, crying her eyes out. "I had no idea she still felt so strongly for Harry."

"That's only because you don't get to go with us to Hogwarts and watch how she watches him." George said.

"Only an idiot wouldn't have been able to tell." Fred nodded.

"So what do we do?" Mrs. Weasley asked, looking to her husband.

"We support Harry just as we always have." He said firmly. "He's family, no matter what, and we always support our family."

Everyone nodded their agreement at Mr. Weasley's declaration.

Four days had passed since Harry had seen Ron and Hermione, and he was missing them terribly. A tension had begun to build between Harry and Susan in the days following the revelation that not only did they have to get married, but have a baby as well.

Harry had taken to hiding out in his bedroom or the basement where he'd practice new spells until he was too exhausted to stand. When Harry did encounter Susan, he felt uptight and panicky. It wasn't fear as he'd experienced it before. It wasn't like standing before Voldemort knowing your life was about to end. This was different. This was actually worse.

It didn't help that Harry's hormonal teenage mind was beginning to plague him with images of Susan in the cut off shorts and tank top he'd seen her in on that first day they had actually spoken. He'd awaken every morning with a typical teenage problem, and he could remember that he'd been dreaming of Susan in those cut offs.

Harry was just far too confused about everything, and just didn't want to deal with this problem. He convinced himself that the Voldemort problem was far more important, and that he needed to worry about that before he could even think about figuring out things with Susan. The last thing either of them needed was for her to be sucked into Harry's troubles.

Harry sat on the floor of the basement of the Bones house, breathing heavily after nearly an hour of work on a very powerful piercing hex. Harry thought it would be a very useful spell, especially if he could aim it correctly. A spell like that could stab a Death Eater though the heart. That would end a duel pretty fast, Harry had thought after reading up on the spell.

"You've been working pretty hard."

Harry jumped. He hadn't heard Susan come down the stairs. She was standing in the doorway, using it to support herself as she leaned inside. She was wearing a short denim skirt and another tank top which only served to remind Harry she was a very buxom young woman. She wasn't wearing shoes, which Harry had noticed that she seemed to enjoy. Hannah was similar. Neither girl seemed to bother with shoes of any kind while around the house. Harry wondered if it was a girl thing.

Susan's hair was piled on top of her head, with a few fiery strands falling into her face. Harry thought she looked very pretty, but then scolded himself that he couldn't think like that. At the same time, a small part of his mind was questioning why he couldn't admire Susan's looks.

"I have to work hard." Harry said finally as he began to settle down. "I can't rely on luck to get me out of every situation. I need to have some skill as well."

"I think you've got that in spades." Susan said, blushing as she spoke. She leaned into the room a bit more, hanging on the sides of the doorway. She glanced around the room a bit as if looking for anything to talk about.

"Thanks, but it isn't enough." Harry sighed. He was beginning to feel the strange knots in his stomach that seemed to appear whenever Susan was around. Usually, Harry would just escape if he found himself potentially alone with her, but right now, she was effectively blocking his only escape.

"What are you working on now?" Susan asked, taking a step into the gym area. Her hands dropped to her sides, and she stood watching him nervously.

"Piercing hex." Harry said, sliding the book towards Susan, who bent to pick it up. Harry couldn't help notice how it looked like her breasts might fall out of her top. He quickly looked at his shoes to avoid being embarrassed, or embarrassing Susan should it actually occur.

"Looks complicated." She said after a moment of reading. "Have you managed it?"

"Yeah." Harry nodded, and motioning towards the practice dummy. "I just can't aim it right. I've been trying to focus it, but I just can't get it right."

"You will." Susan said with a soft smile. "But maybe you should take a break. You've been working really hard for the past few days, and it can't be good for you. Why not come out by the pool with me and Hannah?"

"I can't. I don't have the luxury of just sitting by the pool wasting time and gossiping." Harry said sternly.

"We don't gossip." Susan said quickly.

"Whatever." Harry responded, getting to his feet. "I have to learn all that I can. Voldemort wants me dead, and he's not going to stop until he gets what he wants…"

"What does it matter if he tries to kill you if you don't even bother to live your life." Susan pointed out.

"I do." Harry replied.

"No you don't." Susan snapped. "All you've done since you got here is read and practice. That's not living. The only time that you've actually done anything outside of reading and practicing was when Hermione and Ron were here. The whole point of you coming to stay here was so that we could try to get to know each other, and honestly it feels like all you've done is try and avoid me. It's a bit insulting. I mean, you're a boy, aren't you supposed to be trying to figure some way to see me naked at least?"

Harry blushed, but countered quickly.

"Look, I know you probably don't understand any of it, but I've got to train. I have to be ready for anything. Who's to say he won't come storming into this house at anytime? He's got spies everywhere and they all have one purpose, find me so he can kill me? He's been trying to do me in for years."

"I'm not denying any of that, Harry, but what happens if you do defeat him? What then? If you don't stop and take time to be normal, when it's all over you'll have nothing. It will have all been for nothing."

"When Voldemort is finished for good, then we can figure things out between us." Harry said flatly. Susan's eyes burned with anger. Harry suddenly had the suspicion he'd just said the wrong thing.

"So, you're plan for this whole problem is to wait and hope it goes away?" Susan's eyes narrowed, and Harry shuddered.

"That's not what I meant."

"It sure sounded that way to me. You want to ignore me and our little problem. Are you hoping that he'll kill you so you won't have to deal with me at all?" Susan said coldly. Harry just stood there looking at her confused and irritated. He tried a few times to argue, but he just couldn't think of anything to say that would make things better, or at least calm the redhead down a bit.

Susan stared at him for several long minutes before she straightened up and squared her shoulders.

"Fine." She said. "If this is the only way to get you to interact with me, then fine."

"What?" Harry asked watching Susan cross the room where she turned to face him.

"I've been trying to figure out some way over the last few days for you and I to try and build some kind of repoire with each other and try to at least open communication, but since your entire focus seems to be on training, then we'll train."

Susan pulled her wand out of her back pocket and raised it towards Harry.

"But you don't have permission." Harry protested. In response, Susan sent a stinging hex at Harry, hitting him in the arm. Harry yelped as he grabbed his now throbbing shoulder.

"I got it yesterday." Her blue eyes burning with anger. "Let's see if you're all your practicing has been worth anything."

Harry's wand was up and conjuring a shield as Susan sent two more stinging hexes his way.

"I don't want to hurt you." Harry tried, but Susan wasn't listening. She sent a spell at Harry's head, which he ducked just in time.

"Do I have your attention now, Harry Potter?" She snapped.

"Fine." Harry said. He took a deep breath and gripped his wand a bit tighter. If Susan wanted to duel, then he'd duel her. Harry was actually happy about it. He knew he needed a human target to work with. Dummies didn't fire back, or move.

He fired a tripping jinx, which Susan hopped over easily.

"Really? Is that you're plan? To trip Riddle?" Susan asked with a wry look of disdain. She fired back with a leg locker curse, which Harry sidestepped, and retaliated with a body bind jinx.

Susan did a very graceful pirouette to avoid it, and sent a cutting hex at Harry, which grazed his cheek. Harry hissed in pain, and Susan looked triumphant. Harry lost his temper then, and began firing a serious of jinxes at Susan, who could only conjure a shield charm. It was then that Susan realized how huge a mistake she'd made.

Yes, Harry had made her angry with his reasoning that their situation could wait. He'd made it sound as if she was unimportant to him, and for some reason that had really upset her. But, now she knew that she should have just walked away. There was a reason they had all gone to Harry to learn defense. He was good. He was really good, and she knew that he'd been going easy on her. He'd likely been happy to have someone to duel against as all he had to work with was practice dummies. And Susan knew she was no slouch when it came to magic. She was usually pretty inventive and powerful, but she knew that she was nothing when compared to Harry. Harry had avoided all of her spells, and even looked as if he'd been enjoying this little tiff, but then she'd landed a lucky hit and he'd gotten really angry.

All she could do was conjure the strongest shield she could and cower behind it until he wore himself out, but then her shield exploded and she was hit in the chest with a very powerful bludgeoning hex that sent her across the room. Her head slammed into the wall, and she saw black.

"She's starting to come around." Amelia said.

"Oh thank goodness." Hannah sighed.

"What happened?" Susan asked as she opened her eyes and found herself in her own bed with what felt like a ton of bricks on her chest. Her aunt was sitting next to her with a light smile on her face, and she removed the cold cloth from Susan's head.

"From what I gathered," Amelia smiled as she helped Susan sit up. "You and Harry just had your first difference of opinion, and if I'm not much mistaken, I think he won this round."

Susan coughed as her chest tightened. She gave a questioning look to her Aunt, who smiled tightly.

"He hit you with a bludgeoning hex and freaked out when he saw that he'd really hurt you. He admitted to being angry at you, but he never intended to really hurt you. He's been locked up in his room for hours, afraid to even look at me."

"I thought he really had killed you." Hannah said. She was sitting on her bed looking quite relieved to see her friend awake. "He looked so scared when he came to get help."

"Fortunately for you, there wasn't any serious damage. Emy floo called me and I came right home and was able to patch you up pretty well. You're probably going to be pretty tender for a few days though."

"Why can't I go to St. Mungo's and get healed. Then I'll be ok right away." Susan asked. Amelia simply shook her head.

"Because I think you both needed to learn a little lesson here. Harry needed to learn that he can't just ignore his problems, no matter what they are. And you, my sweet niece, had to learn not to push people." Amelia smiled. "Hannah told me that you were a bit tired of Harry ignoring you and that's what started this whole thing."

"But you said the whole reason Harry was here was so we could get to know each other. He's been here nearly a week and we've only talked once." Susan winced as she tried to sit up further.

"Yes, but forcing your company on him is only going to push him away from you. Understand that unlike other boys Harry's age, he's got quite a bit resting on his shoulder. More than he probably even knows. You have to allow him time to adjust to the fact that you two are going to be married. And you need to adjust to the idea as well." Amelia said giving a pointed look to her niece.

"Why can't this be easy?" Susan sighed.

"You're not getting married right away." Amelia pointed out. "Take your time, and let him and yourself have the chance to process things. Yes, I would like it if you could get to know each other, but there's no need to force it. I keep telling you this."

There was a knock on the door, and Hannah opened it to find a very pale and skittish looking Harry waiting. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, and his eyes were cast down to his shoes. He looked like a beaten dog, and Hannah actually felt bad for the boy.

"Is she alright?" he asked in a very soft voice that was heart breaking to hear. It was clear that Harry was feeling an immense amount of guilt over what he'd done..

"Why not ask her yourself." Hannah said opening the door wider.

"We'll leave you two to talk." Amelia said standing up. She nodded Hannah out the door, and the blonde let out an exasperated sigh before being lead out of Susan's bedroom.

Harry stood next to the now closed door, looking at his shoes, while Susan stared at him expectantly. It was obvious to Susan that Harry wanted to leave as well, but his guilt kept him there to accept the consequences of his actions.

"I'm sorry." Harry said, his voice just above a whisper. "I lost my temper, and I just..."

"It's ok." Susan said. "I started it. I knew better than to pick a fight with you, but I was upset, and I wanted you to hurt as much as you hurt me."

"I didn't mean to hurt you." Harry said, still unable to look at Susan, who was sitting up fully, though she was holding her chest.

"I know that now." Susan nodded. "It's just that, well, this whole contract business is really stupid, and we're both stuck together, and it just seemed like you didn't want to bother getting to know me."

"I do." Harry said, now looking up. "But, I just don't want you, or anyone else getting hurt for me. Too many people have suffered, and I just can't..."

"Harry, I know other people have told you this, so this probably won't be anything you haven't heard before. You are not the center of the universe. Riddle is going to kill loads of people because he's evil. Yes, he's got some sort of obsession with you, but it doesn't mean the rest of us will be safe if we ignore you, or shun you. If we oppose him in any way, we're going to be killed for it. So get over yourself and let people fight. It's their right to stand against him if that's what they choose."

Harry looked at her, a bit awed by her bravado. "Actually, no one's ever really put it to me like that." He said after several moments of silence. They both began chuckling, but it ended when Susan winced badly. Harry started to cross the room towards her, but stopped quickly when he realized he had no idea what he would do when he got to her.

Susan had noticed his movement, and smiled to herself. "I'll be ok." She assured him, and he simply nodded, though he looked unconvinced, and still upset over it all.

"I really am sorry."

"And I said it was my fault." Susan said quickly. "Let's just drop it before we end up trading spells again."

Harry nodded, his hands going into his pockets for lack of anything to do or say.

"I thought about what you said earlier." Harry said, looking at his shoes again.

"Which part?" Susan asked.

"The part about having nothing to show for my life." Harry sighed. "The truth is that I do want to be married and to have a family. But if I don't take time for myself, then how can I expect to have those things."

"What are you saying?" Susan asked, thinking she already had a good idea.

"Maybe we should go on a date, or something." Harry said very quickly. "I know that we're already going to be married, but, well... it just seems wrong that we don't do any of the other stuff normal people do. So, let's have a date."

"A date?" Susan asked, looking skeptical, though inside she was actually very pleased. "Like dinner, a show, long conversations?"

"Yeah. We can go somewhere, and pretend that there's no contract. Let's go on a date and just try to you know..."

"Get to know each other?" Susan asked. Harry nodded, though he still wasn't looking at her.

"Harry, how can you expect to take me on a date if you won't even look at me?" She asked. Harry looked up at her, and shrugged.

"I'm still ashamed of what I did to you." He admitted. Susan got to her feet, and closed the distance between then. Gently she lifted his chin so he was looking into her eyes.

"I already told you, it was my fault. I forgive you. Now let's move forward, alright?"

Harry nodded his head, and she smiled at him.

They stared at each other for a long time, and Susan was suddenly over come with an urge that she'd only had for one other boy. But in that moment, Harry Potter looked so vulnerable and open to her. Staring into his green eyes, she swore she could see his soul laid bare to her, and it was beautiful. Her body was screaming for her to close the short distance between them and to take his lips with hers.

"So, a date then." She said, taking a step back as if she'd be shocked. She let out a breath she had been unaware of holding. There would be plenty of opportunities to kiss Harry if things in the future. He didn't need some rabid fan girl falling over themselves to get his affection. And Susan was not some slag who jumped into bed with any old bloke.

"Uh...yeah." Harry stammered.

"Here's an idea." Susan said, sitting down again, and motioning for Harry to sit next to her by patting her bed. Harry slowly came and sat down next to her, though he did keep a bit of space between them.

"Why don't we go out with a few friends. Try and make it a bit more comfortable. We'll ask Hannah and Hermione to come with us, and they'll bring their boyfriends. Then it will be like a triple date or something. Then it might not be as awkward, and we might have a bit of fun." Susan suggested.

Harry's face lit up and he nodded.

There was a knock on the door and Hannah poked her head in the bedroom, sighing and looking disappointed. Susan could tell that her blond friend was hoping that maybe today's events might have led to Susan and Harry falling into each other's arms and snogging until they could no longer breathe.

"If only she could read minds." Susan thought to herself.

"Your aunt told me to come get you both. Dinner is ready." Hannah said.

Harry was on his feet as if he'd been hit in the bottom by another stinging hex. He rushed out of the bedroom, leaving Susan and Hannah.

"Didn't even offer to help you or anything." Hannah looked irritated.

"No, but he asked me on a date." Susan said, tenderly standing up again. Hannah did a double take, her mouth falling open.

"No, he didn't." She said quickly.

"Yes, he did." Susan smiled. "Apparently, I managed to get through that thick skull of his before he nearly killed me."

"When are you going?" Hannah asked excitement flowing off of her.

"We didn't get a chance to hammer out details, but you'll need to write to Neville and see if he'll join us."

Huh?" Hannah looked confused. Susan explained it all as they headed down the stairs, and by the time they got to the dining room, Hannah was excited all over again.

"That sounds like a lot of fun, and I think you're right, it will make things a bit easier." Hannah agreed. "So, after dinner, I'll write Neville, and you and I can figure out what to do and where to go?"

"Where are you going?" Amelia asked as the girls entered.

"Harry and Susan are going on a date, and Neville, Hermione, Zach and I will be tagging along." Hannah explained. Harry, who was sitting at the table blushed scarlet. He kept his eyes on his plate as Amelia looked in his direction, the hint of a smile on her face.

"Well, before you do anything, let me know what, when and where." Amelia said, and the girls both agreed.

Harry kept his word, and made time to spend with Susan over the next couple of days. Susan came down to watch him practice a few times, but didn't attempt to practice with him, as she was still quite tender. Other times, when he was practicing, or with training at the Ministry with Tonks, Susan and Hannah were busy putting together a plan for a triple date.

Neville had written back that he would love to go out with Hannah and the others. Zach also wrote that he would love to join his housemates on a date. The girls then went on to plan the day's activities. Amelia's only real conditions for the teens to go out was that they stay together, and stay out of Diagon Alley. The girls promised that they would abide by her conditions.

Hannah and Susan had asked Hermione to come early, so they could all prepare together. Susan thought it would be a good opportunity to get to know the bookworm of Gryffindor better. Hermione had already provided useful advice in dealing with Harry, which Susan had all but ignored, and paid the price for. Susan vowed to listen to Hermione's advice in the future.

Susan and Hannah greeted Hermione when she arrived and the three girls went to Susan's room.

"So, how'd you get him to ask you out?" Hermione asked when they were safely ensconced in Susan's room.

"She let him use a bludgeoning hex on her." Hannah smirked.

"What?" Hermione looked confused.

"They had a fight." Hannah said, trying to clear up the confusion.

"I kind of ignored your advice, and we had a little disagreement." Susan said sheepishly. "It wasn't really a big deal."

"No, he almost killed you, but it was nothing." Hannah rolled her eyes.

"He what?" Hermione's jaw fell to the floor.

"She's exaggerating." Susan said.

"Five broken ribs is not exaggerating." Hannah replied, her hands on her hips.

"Ok. Time out. Start from the beginning." Hermione said, sitting on Hannah's bed.

The next two hours were spent getting ready for their date, and explaining to Hermione all about what had been happening over the past week. Hermione was so engrossed that she even allowed Hannah to do her hair and makeup.

"And then he just asked you on a date?" Hermione asked, making sure she was getting everything right. She was adjusting her shirt and making sure it was buttoned correctly.

The weather promised to be very warm and all three girls had chosen to wear shorts and some form of sandals. Hermione wore a light blue blouse over a plain white camisole.

Hannah was a bit less reserved. She was wearing a simple black tank top which revealed plenty of cleavage, thanks to her electric blue bra.

"Like I said. I must have gotten through his thick skull." Susan shrugged as she gave herself one last look in the mirror. "Do I look casual enough?"

"Yes." Hannah sighed with exasperation. "Shorts, sandals, tank top with the button up shirt. You're fine. I still think you should have worn the skirt, though."

"You look just fine." Hermione said. "Besides, this is about you two getting a chance to be normal. Just keep things simple, and don't talk about Voldemort or anything like that."

"I know." Susan sighed. "But I can't help feeling this like… I don't know."

Susan had not mentioned to either Hannah or Hermione about that moment where she had wanted to kiss Harry. It still haunted her, and she couldn't stop thinking about the way he'd been looking at her. She and Harry had talked a bit here and there over the last couple of days, but Susan felt as if Harry's walls were back in place. She also felt her own guard was back up.

This was going to be rather awkward for her, as she was going to be going out with the boy she still had deep feelings for and his girlfriend, and the boy she was supposed to be marrying. She hadn't given it much thought before now, but as the date loomed closer, it was beginning to affect her.

"Miss." Emy the house elf said as she popped into Susan's room. "Misters is here in the sitting room."

"Neville!" Hannah said as she darted for the door. Hermione grinned at Susan who shook her head.

"I guess we better head down, too." Susan said, and Hermione smiled as she got up and they followed Hannah downstairs.

They found Hannah with her arms wrapped around Neville, who looked a bit overwhelmed, though quite pleased at the same time.

Susan did have to admit that Neville was growing to be somewhat attractive. A lot of his baby fat had disappeared, and his face didn't look so rounded anymore. It probably helped that he had shot up a few inches this past year. Susan thought she even spotted a bit of stubble on his face. Susan had to admit that even though Neville didn't appeal to her romantically speaking, he was actually becoming fanciable.

Zach and Harry were simply looking at one another awkwardly. Harry had his hands in his pockets as usual, while Zach looked fidgety.

Hermione greeted her boyfriend with a gentle kiss and introduced Zach and Harry properly.

"Look, Harry. I feel like I owe you a major apology for everything I said and did..."

"Forget it." Harry said quickly. "Consider this a fresh start, alright?"

Zach smiled gratefully, and Hermione gave Harry a very proud smile.

"So, you and Susan?" Zach asked looking between Harry and his date, who stood to the side rather nervously. "When did that happen?"

"It hasn't really happened." Harry said, looking towards Susan. "This is sort of a get-to-know-each-other kind of thing."

"Oh." Zach said, clearly confused.

"Shall we go?" Hannah asked. "I'm hungry." She took Neville by the hand and began leading him towards the door. Hermione and Zach followed, hand in hand.

"Wow, I feel weird." Harry said watching the two couples. Susan was at his side and she gave him a soft smile.

"You can hold my hand if it'll make you feel more comfortable." She said.

"Will it make you feel comfortable?" He asked, Susan gave an odd sort of half shrug and Harry nodded.

"Yeah. Why don't we take it one step at a time, and not worry so much about them."

"That could work." Susan smiled.

"After you." Harry said, motioning that she should lead them out the door.

Susan smiled nervously again, and with Harry just behind her, they joined the other two couples who had just signaled for the Knight Bus.