The first day of class dawned bright and warm with nary a cloud to be seen. It appeared as if summer had every intention of remaining for as long as possible, and it was felt in the hearts of every student within Hogwarts castle.
Even the early risers were a bit lax in getting out of bed. The Great Hall normally saw a general trickle of students as early as six in the morning, but no student was seen until nearly seven thirty when there was a flash flood of bodies intent on filling their bellies.
Susan and Hannah were among those in the first wave of breakfast seekers. As they sat down, Susan felt a pang of something she couldn't readily define, though she knew it came from the fact that her boyfriend was not to be seen yet. They had not discussed the possibility of eating together, and Susan wondered if Harry would even want to sit with her. Coming back to school, Susan realized, had presented a vast set of incidental problems that had never occurred to either she or Harry during the summer. Then again, Susan reminded herself that she and Harry would likely be eating meals together for the rest of their lives.
Also, Susan knew their relationship was still in its early stages. She really didn't want to become some overbearing control freak. She just didn't think Harry would like that, and Susan knew she would hate it if Harry were that way with her. Susan comforted herself with the knowledge that they would figure things out as they went.
"You've got admirers." Hannah said as she took a bite of toast. Susan who had been lost in her own thoughts looked up in the direction where Hannah had indicated. There were a few fourth year boys who quickly turned their heads when she had looked up.
"They're so cute when they think they haven't been caught." Hannah quipped and Susan smirked.
"Kind of weird that they're looking at me." Susan said, and Hannah rolled her eyes.
"Suz, they've been staring at you since you got your boobs." The blonde smiled. "But, I think you're going to be getting a lot more attention because, number one, you've stopped wearing your usual braid, and two, you're dating Harry Potter. Girls want him, guys want to be him. I wouldn't be surprised if you get a lot more boys flirting with you, and at least fifty death threats."
"I don't think anyone's going to threaten me." Susan scoffed.
"You are now the most beloved hated witch in this school." Hannah said earnestly. "You are the envy of nearly every girl in this school. You landed the most eligible bachelor in our lifetime. You don't think you won't get death threats?"
"You're being ridiculous." Susan replied.
"Fine. I'll make you a wager. If you don't get at least one death threat, and I mean a real I want your head on a platter, by the end of the week, I'll run through the common room starkers." Hannah said confidently.
"Oh please don't let her get any death threats." Ernie Macmillan smiled as he and Justin Finch-Fletchley sat down.
"I'd give anything to see that." Justin replied grinning broadly. Hannah simply shook her head at the boys.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you and Sally-Anne start dating just a couple of nights ago?" Hannah cocked an eyebrow. "You really shouldn't be wanting to see another girl naked."
"I can look, so long as I don't touch." Justin smirked and Hannah just rolled her eyes.
"Well, Don't get your hopes up. I'm very confident that Susan will get at least one by the end of the week."
"What if she does?" Ernie asked interestedly. "What will she have to do?"
"Good point." Hannah smiled, turning to her redheaded best friend.
"I'm not getting starkers!" Susan said adamantly.
"I wouldn't make you do that anyway." Hannah replied, slightly hurt looking. "Not for these idiots anyway."
"Hey!" Justin and Ernie said together.
Hannah leaned into her best friend and whispered something into Susan's ear. Susan's eyes bulged impossibly large and her cheeks burned scarlet.
"I don't think I could do that."
"You practically did it over the summer!" Hannah argued. "Do you not remember that it was you who got us all to go swimming that day?"
"That was different." Susan tried but Hannah was having none of it.
"I saw the two of you together, and I know that you want to. You're lying to yourself and me if you try and deny it. If you really think that no one will threaten you over being with Harry, then you have nothing to worry about. I'll be the one streaking the dorms."
"Alright." Susan said, throwing up her hands in annoyance. "Fine. No one will get hurt either way, and I really think your off your tree for thinking anyone would threaten to kill me over my boyfriend. So, fine, what are the exact specifics of your bet?"
Hannah turned to Ernie and Justin and smiled. "Ok, so there is no bias, These two monkeys must witness it. and it needs to be a clear threat upon your life. Harry's name also must be mentioned. We have until Friday after dinner. If at such time, no threat has been made, I will go into our dorm, undress, and return to the Common room where every one of our housemates can get a very good look at my stunning figure in its natural state."
Susan was laughing hard now, while both Ernie and Justin seemed to be lost in their own imaginations.
"If," Hannah continued. "No threat is issued by that same time, you will have to do what I have mentioned to you."
"What will she have to do?" Ernie asked, almost pleadingly.
"None of your business." Hannah replied quickly. "And, I will want proof that you did what you were supposed to do."
"What kind of proof.?" Susan asked, a bit worriedly.
Hannah thought for a moment, then a smile spread across her face and she once again leaned in and explained her plan to Susan in whispers. This seem to placate Susan and she agreed. The two girls shook hands and continued to eat. Ernie looked to Justin with a grin.
"I think this year's going to be way more interesting than last year turned out to be."
"Oh yeah." Justin nodded.
Professor Sprout handed out schedules and Susan and Hannah compared theirs. The two girls had different careers in mind, and knew that beginning in Sixth year, they would not always be in classes with the rest of their housemates, it was evidenced at once when they saw that while Susan would be taking potions, Hannah would be having Runes.
Susan looked up to see if Harry had entered the Great Hall yet, and found him with Ron, Hermione and Zach. Susan felt a bit of irritation that Zach was with his girlfriend, but Harry had either been too clueless to come find her, or he hadn't wanted to be with her.
Suddenly Harry got up from his seat, just as McGonagall handed him his schedule, and began to make his way towards her.
"Good morning." He said as he walked up.
"Late start?" Hannah asked as Harry sat down next to Susan, who was quickly forgetting her irritation. She noticed that his hair was still damp from his shower.
"We all kind of stayed up a bit late last night." Harry admitted. "I forgot that we could eat wherever we like. Zach and Hermione reminded me."
Susan found she couldn't really be angry with him. After all, she hadn't gone looking for him either. It was then that Susan noticed something else.
"Where's Neville?"
"Probably in the greenhouses." Hannah smirked. "He's been helping Professor Sprout since third year. He gets up extremely early nearly everyday to go to the greenhouses and take care of a lot of the rarer specimens. I'll see him, don't worry."
"What's your schedule like?" Harry asked, and Susan showed it to him. "We have a lot of classes together." Harry smiled softly. Susan looked over the schedules and saw they had Potions together that morning, but Harry would have Defense in the afternoon while she had Herbology. The rest of their schedule for the week showed they had Transfiguration and Charms together.
"Guess that means I can count on you as a study buddy?" Susan smirked, and Harry nodded. She leaned in and kissed his lips softly and quickly.
"We should get moving. Hannah said looking at her watch. "I don't think we should be late to class on the first day back. We should wait until our third day for that sort of thing."
Laughing, the sixth years rose together, and began making their way to class. Hannah waved goodbye at the Entrance Hall as Harry and Susan, now joined by Ron, Hermione, Ernie, and Justin began heading to the dungeons.
"Clearly the new potions teacher is allowing you in his class." Susan quipped.
"McGonagall told both Ron and I this morning we're clear to take the class."
"I didn't think I'd get in." Ron muttered. "I don't have any of the supplies."
"I'm sure Professor Slughorn will loan you everything you need." Hermione said with a confident smile.
They weren't the first ones to class. Padma Patil and Mandy Brocklehurst were already lined up along with Anthony Goldstein, and to Harry's immense displeasure, most of the sixth year Slytherins, including Draco Malfoy. Harry and Draco glared at each other, but before the verbal battle could begin, Professor Slughorn opened the classroom door with a huge smile on his very round face.
"Ah, eager to begin I see. Well, come in, come in."
The students filed in, and Slughorn told them all to gather four to a table. Several more students entered and when the class bell rang, Slughorn shut the door to begin the lesson.
"Well, well. Very good. Now, I would like to take roll call so I can match names and faces, and then we will begin."
Slughorn called out each name on his registry and each student replied in kind that they were present. Harry and Susan shared a table with Hermione and Justin. Ron had been caught off guard when Lavender showed up just before the bell rang, and the two of them took the next table over along with Padma and Mandy.
"I thought there'd be more Ravenclaws." Harry whispered. Susan simply shrugged, while Hermione threw him an annoyed glare. Harry smiled. He knew how Hermione hated people talking during lessons.
"Alright then." Slughorn said closing his attendance book. You have all come here because you've chosen a career that will require and advanced knowledge of potions. By show of hands, how many of you are choosing to become healers?"
Susan, along with Mandy, Anthony, and Ernie all raised their hands. Slughorn smiled and applauded.
"Healing is one of the professions that relies heavily on potion making. I am sure you all know that there is quite a bit more work in potions during your medical education. Now, are there any potential Aurors among us today?" Slughorn asked.
Ron and Harry were the only ones who raised their hands. Slughorn looked unsurprised yet quite happy at the same time.
"Yes, I should have guess." He grinned. "You will need to pay close attention when we study antidotes and poisons later this term. As for the rest of you, there are many careers that use potions quite extensively. Or perhaps, you simply wish to become a potions master like myself, or Professor Snape. It is not an easy task, but extremely satisfying, as well as lucrative. I wish the best to all of you, and if you ever have questions regarding your particular interests in the potions universe, my door is always open. Now for today, T have concocted a few very special mixtures for your perusal. Let's start with this one."
Slughorn motioned to a cauldron that sat upon the table that Draco was sitting at. Inside was something that looked like boiling water. Hermione of course knew the answer and her hand was in the air in the blink of an eye.
"Yes, Miss Granger?" Slughorn smiled, arching an eyebrow.
"It's Veritaserum." Hermione said at once. "The most powerful truth potion known."
"Indeed. Very good. Five points to you, my dear. Now, can anyone tell me what this one
Slughorn was now pointing to a mixture that sat in front of Theodore Nott.
Hermione's wasn't the only hand in the air this time. Both Harry and Ron recognized the mud-like concoction at once. Slughorn was grinning broadly as he pointed to Harry.
Polyjuice Potion." Harry responded.
"Yes. Very good. Take five points. And now to this one."
The cauldron was sitting on Harry's table, and Slughorn reached between Hermione and Ernie to remove the lid. At once Harry's nose was filled with several wondrous scents that he recognized almost at once. Vanilla was the most prevalent. He could also smell something like apricot, and something similar to suntan lotion. In summary, all scents Harry ascribed to Susan. He turned to her, and found her smiling at him strangely.
They weren't the only ones making silly grins. Most of the class had silly smiles on their faces, and Slughorn was chortling now.
"It's Amortentia." Hermione said. "A very powerful love potion.
"The most powerful, my dear." Slughorn corrected. "It is recognizable by it's mother of pearl sheen and characteristic spirals of steam. While Amortentia can create feelings of passion, it is not true love. Though it is not a banned substance, it can be very dangerous. It make the drinker become dangerously obsessed with whomever the focal point of the potion."
"Sir?' Padma Patil spoke up. "What is that one?"
She was pointing to a small cauldron upon Slughorn's desk where liquid gold seemed to be bubbling and splashing as if it were alive.
"That is the prize for today's work. It is called Felix Felicious, or better known as..."
"Liquid Luck." Hermione stated.
"Indeed!" Slughorn cheered. "This wondrous little mixture will make the drinker extremely lucky. Extremely difficult to brew, and disastrous should you get it wrong, Felix Felicious will ensure that succeed in any endeavor you embark on, at least until the effects wear off. "
"Why don't people take it all the time?" Ron asked curiously.
"Too much of a good thing." Slughorn said simply. "While a wondrous potion, if taken too much it can make you giddy, reckless, and dangerously overconfident. Imagine if you will taking it before you climb a mountain, and the affects wear off halfway up. You'd find yourself in a life threatening predicament, and could be killed." Slughorn smiled.
The class was on the edge of their seats.
"It is also highly toxic if taken in large quantities. "Slughorn continued.
"Have you ever taken it, sir?" Justin asked, and Slughorn got a very glazed look in his eyes.
"Twice in my life. Two perfect days."
Everyone sat in silence as Slughorn thought fondly of his two perfect days. He shook himself and smiled at his students.
"And so, I offer one vial to the person who brews the best example of Draught of Living Death by the end of today's lesson. You may begin now!"
Never had Harry seen such a scramble to get started in potions before. While Harry knew that he didn't stand a chance against the likes of Hermione, he wasn't about to give up.
However, Harry was surprised by Susan's talent. She and Hermione seemed to be nearly equal at potions. Harry had not ever had a potions class with Susan, and had no idea of her capability until now. It was also clear that she knew a few tricks, likely from having an Auror for an aunt.
While Hermione was trying to keep her Sopophorus bean steady so she could cut it as instructed by their potions book, Susan was using her knife to crush the bean. Harry saw that Susan's method was much better as the shriveled bean seem to be overflowing with sticky purple goo.
"How'd you do that?" Hermione whispered.
Susan smiled, and showed Hermione with a second bean, which she took from Harry. Harry scooped up as much of the bean's goods on his knife and stirred it into his potion.
Susan was the first to reach the stirring stage, with Hermione right behind her. Harry joined them a few minutes later. Slughorn was prowling the room glancing at each student's work, offering suggestions as he passed. When he came to Harry's table and peered into both Susan and Hermione's cauldron's he was quite impressed.
"I may have to award two vials today." He beamed. "Very impressive, ladies. Very, very impressive."
At the end of class, Slughorn had to do just as he had predicted. Short of testing the potions on students, Slughorn had to admit that the two girl's work was incredible, and he could not tell on sight or sniff which was the superior work. And so, he poured a bit of liquid luck into two vials, corked and sealed it and handed one to Hermione and the other to Susan.
"Use it wisely." He said, and then dismissed the class.
Both Hermione and Susan were smiling superiorly as Slughorn dismissed the class. Harry couldn't help but be in awe of Susan. He'd never taken potions with Susan before and had no idea just how well she could brew. As Susan turned to kiss Harry goodbye before she headed to the greenhouse, Harry whispered that it had been very much a turn on to watch her brain at work, making Susan blush hard.
Harry Hermione, Neville and Ron headed to the Defense Against the Dark Arts class room after lunch ended Harry had really enjoyed having lunch with his girlfriend. It was very different from when he spent time with Cho Chang, whom he had seen glaring at him from across the Great Hall. It was so strange to him that he felt this fulfilled and happy. As he thought of the way Susan had reached up to ruffle his hair during lunch when he'd made some comment, he felt his scar tingle strangely again. It passed before he could really contemplate the sensation, however.
As Harry and his friends rounded the corner talking animatedly about what they might put together for their first DA meeting. Harry grimaced when he saw that they would be having this class with the Slytherins as well. The door was opened already, so all the students went inside and took seats.
The class was gloomier and more foreboding than Harry had ever remembered it being before now. The walls were decorated with grotesque pictures of mangled bodies. There were jars of dead things, or parts of what Harry thought were once some kind of creatures on the wall behind the teacher's desk, and the general air of the class felt foreboding and dark. Harry felt tainted as he followed his friends inside.
Unsure of what kind of lesson they would be having, all the students had their books and wands out in anticipation. People were whispering to each other in anticipation of what arguably the most hated teacher in the history of the school might be teaching them. A second after the class bell rang, Snape stormed into the class, cloak billowing behind him, the door slamming shut as he entered. His demeanor as cold and sinister as ever.
"Wands out, books away." He said sternly as he marched to the front of the class. "Over the last five years, you have had five different teachers, each with their own... unique... teaching style. As such, you are woefully behind in this subject. It is my job to attempt to teach you how to defend yourselves, a difficult task for anyone, as the Dart Arts are ever changing and eternal. Never think yourself a master of defense. There is always someone delving deeper into the Dark Arts. As it stands, I find myself stunned to see that so many of you manage to scrape even an acceptable in this subject thus far."
Snape was staring at Neville. To Harry's and many other people's deep shock. Neville kept the former potions teacher's gaze. Neville's face remained like stone, showing not even an inkling of the trepidation many expected of him. Harry wondered if their excursion into the Ministry last year had tempered his fellow Gryffindor. Harry turned back to see Snape actually quirk and eyebrow.
"This year, we shall be studying some very complex defensive magic, and fifty percent of your grade will depend on your ability to cast all your spells silently. Is there anyone in this class room who can tell me the advantage of casting wordlessly who is not named Hermione Granger?"
Harry felt his anger rising within him as Hermione's hand fell. She had it raised before Snape was even finished his question, and now she looked as if Snape had just slapped her.
"Mr. Malfoy?" Snape called on the blond Slytherin, who was smiling superiorly at Hermione.
"Your enemy will have no idea what you're about to cast, giving you an advantage." Draco sneered, eyeing Harry.
"Take ten points to Slytherin." Snape said turning to the rest of the class. "In a duel, you should use every advantage you have, especially if you are not a competent spell castor. There is no award for second place, and your enemy will not be kind. In a real battle for your life, nobility is a weakness."
Snape was now looking at Harry who held Snape's gaze. He had no intention of putting up with Snape's taunts or insults this year. Harry did take Snape's advice however. Harry knew he was far too noble for his own good.
"I am given to understand that you are all at least familiar with how to cast a disarming hex. You will divide into pairs and practice disarming one another. If I hear anyone speak the incantation, it will be detention. And to make sure there is no cheating, you will pair off with someone who does not belong to your own house."
There was a wave of confusion from both Gryffindors and Slytherins.
"ON YOUR FEET!" Snape roared and everyone was up. Snape waved his own wand and the desks disappear and two lines appeared down the middle of the class. Harry and the other Gryffindors lined up on one side of the room with the Slytherins on the other. Harry stood across from Tracey Davis, who was looking very determinedly at him, her wand raised at him. Harry gave a slight nod and raised his own wand. Harry knew the disarming spell very well, but he'd never cast it silently before.
Apparently Harry wasn't the only one who was having difficulty. All through the class room, students were turning red in the face with concentration, or in Neville's case, biting their lip to keep from uttering the charm.
Harry felt it would be wise to focus on disarming Tracey, instead of looking at his fellow sixth years. He didn't think it would go over well if Tracey managed to disarm him first.
Tracey kept moving her wand usually ending with a stabbing motion right at Harry. Once he thought he felt his wand slip a little from his hand, but so far the Slytherin was getting no results.
Harry kept his wand movement much more subtle, choosing to put all his energy in his intent. He wanted Tracey's wand in his hand. He needed Tracey Davis's wand removed from her. She was a threat to him, and he needed to disarm her.
"Expelliarmus" Harry repeated to himself over and over again. "Expelliarmus. Expelliarmus. EXPELLIARMUS!"
Over and over Harry repeated the incantation in his head, each time going through the wand movement. He was beginning to feel agitated. Just like in his Occlumency lessons, Snape had not given the students any idea how to pull off magic wordlessly. There had been no explanation, and no example. It was more than a little frustrating.
Still Harry and the rest of the class persevered.
And then, it happened. To everyone's complete and utter surprise, Harry disarmed Tracey without speaking. The Slytherin's wand sailed into the air towards Harry who snatched it out of the air. He held the wand in his hand, looking at it with complete surprise.
"Potter!" Snape called out. "Give Davis her wand back. Everyone else, back to the lesson."
Harry obliged, tossing the wand back to it's owner and preparing to repeat the performance. Harry managed to disarm Tracey seven more times, each time it got easier. Harry noted that there wasn't really any difference in how he felt when he spoke the incantations opposed to casting silently. It was just a matter of getting used to not saying the incantation out loud. It was almost as if he was relearning how to cast spells. Harry wondered if maybe the teachers should have taught them this from the beginning.
When Snape halted the class, Harry saw that he wasn't the only one who had been able to pull off the spell without speaking. Hermione of course was able to do it. She was the first person after him to perform the spell. Neville also had just managed along with Parvati. While Tracey had yet to manage it, Blaise Zabini, Daphne Greengrass, and Malfoy had all managed to disarm their opponents.
"I wish for those who have managed to work the spell to pair with someone who has also managed the spell. Granger, You will face Zabini. Greengrass, and Patil, and Malfoy and Potter. Switch now!" Snape said, his eyes lingering on Harry.
Harry and Draco faced off against one another just as they had when Lockhart had put together his little dueling club not so many years earlier. Harry prepared himself. He was not about to let Malfoy disarm him. Not now, not ever.
Focusing all of his magic, Harry flicked his wand, just as Malfoy did. The spells collided in the middle of the class and exploded in red and orange sparks. Both Malfoy and Harry snapped their wands at each other again with the same result. So intent was Harry on disarming his school rival that he failed to notice the rest of the class cease their work to watch these two bitter enemies go at each other.
Again and again their spells collided in a shower of fireworks.
Harry was quite surprised at how well Malfoy was performing. Draco Malfoy had never shown that he was very good before now. Then again, Harry noted that until now, Draco had never attempted to actually fight Harry properly. Malfoy had always tried to get Harry when he wasn't paying attention, or the odds seemed to be in his favor. But now, as they tried repeatedly to disarm each other, Harry began to wonder just how good Malfoy really could be and if he might actually pose a real threat of some kind.
"Enough!" Snape yelled. "I believe I told you to take turns disarming one another, did I not?"
"Um, no." Harry said looking at Snape, and than quickly added. "Sir."
Snape glared coldly at Harry, taking a few, what he must have believed to be intimidating steps closer to Harry, who held the Defense teacher's gaze.
"Excuse me?" Snape said, his voice dangerously low.
"You said to practice disarming. You never said anything about taking turns, sir." Harry said quickly.
"It's true, sir." Daphne Greengrass said confidently. Snape turned and glared at the blonde Slytherin who simply shrugged.
"Very well." Snape glowered as he turned back to Malfoy and Harry. "You will take turns. Malfoy, you will go first."
Harry wanted to protest, but his wand shot out of his hand the moment Snape stepped out from between them. Rage boiled up inside Harry as Malfoy tossed his wand back towards him, giving a very weak toss so Harry had to walk across the class to retrieve his wand.
Harry walked back to his original spot and turned to face Draco. He wondered for a moment how much trouble he would get in if he accidentally destroyed Draco's wand by not catching it, or banishing it through the window.
Harry disarmed Draco as easily as he had Tracey Davis, and tossed Malfoy's wand back to him. Draco then disarmed Harry and they went through the motions five more times before Snape stopped them again.
"Well done Mister Malfoy." Snape said. "Take twenty points for the lesson."
Harry glared at Snape, while Malfoy gave an appreciative nod. That was when Harry noticed something. Draco had always stared up at Snape as if the greasy bat were some kind of idol. But today, Draco looked almost dismissive of the man.
"For your homework, I wish for you to write twelve inches summarizing chapters one through four in your text books for Thursday. You are dismissed."
Harry grabbed his bag and with Hermione next to him, and Ron and Lavender behind them, left the Defense class.
"That was totally unfair." Lavender said when they were in the corridor. "Harry, you were the first one of us to manage to disarm anybody. I swear Draco was whispering."
"I never expected Snape to be fair just because he got his dream job." Harry retorted. "I'm just happy he didn't use me as a guinea pig to show off some of his favorite dark spells."
"Imagine if he had, and you had to protect yourself with silent casting for the first time." Hermione said horrified. "He's so appalling."
"Summarize four chapters before Thursday?" Ron asked sounding affronted. "He's evil. What is Dumbledore playing at?"
"I think there's more going on than we know." Hermione said flatly. "Hermione, isn't there always?" Harry asked, making them all laugh.
When the last student left the class, Snape waved his wand, closing the door. "You can reveal yourself now." He said to no one.
Near the back of the class, the wall shimmered and Professor Dumbledore appeared out of thin air.
"As you can clearly see, I did not abuse my position or harass Potter." Snape glared at the old man.
"No." Dumbledore agreed. "You did not. However, you did show favoritism to young Master Malfoy. Miss Granger clearly had what I am sure was a very detailed answer to your question, and you humiliated her. And then, you awarded points to Mr. Malfoy and none to Harry, who was the first to cast silently, and with much better results. Not only that, but you widened the house lines by forcing the Slytherins against the Gryffindors. Also, Mr. Malfoy was still whispering the incantation."
"So?"
"Severus, How many times must we do this? How many times do I need to remind you that Harry is not James. That he is not the boy you perceive him to be?"
"You expect me to believe he has some latent, as yet unseen magical strength that is sure to defeat the Dark Lord?" Snape scoffed.
"We have already spoken on this matter. Why do you no longer trust me, Severus?"
Snape looked up, his eyes narrowed to black slits. "Because your decisions have been insane. To allow Draco back into this school knowing he is plotting to kill you. Knowing that he's more ruthless than his father was before him. I told you what happened, and yet you stand there convinced we can save him. He does not wish to be saved."
"Are you so sure?" Dumbledore asked.
Snape shook his head in exasperation. "When did you stop trusting me?" Snape replied, making Dumbledore grimace.
"There is precious little time left to us, Severus. Let's not waste it quarrelling. Continue to monitor Mr. Malfoy. Should anything happen, you know what to do."
"You've yet to allow me a chance to forget it. Should I expect you to be observing my classes for the rest of the term?" Snape asked sarcastically.
"You never know." Dumbledore gave a soft smile before he left Snape alone in his class room.
"Susan?"
The redhead stopped at the sound of her name being called. She and Hannah were leaving the charms class room with the intention of meeting their friends for a bit of studying outside before dinner.
When Susan turned to see who had called out to her, her beaming smile melted away instantly as Ginny Weasley stood anxiously in front of her.
"Could I talk to you?" Ginny asked morosely. "Alone?"
"I can wait here." Hannah offered but Susan shook here head.
"Tell Harry I'll be there in a few minutes." Susan said before she followed Ginny a little way down the hall into an empty class room.
"I need to apologize to you." Ginny said after she shut the door behind her. "I shouldn't have done what I did, but..."
"Why did you kiss Harry?" Susan asked, not bothering to disguise the bitterness in her voice.
"I wish that I could give you a simple answer to that, but it isn't simple. Since I was little, I had heard the story of Harry potter and how he stopped the Dark Lord. I have had a crush on the hero for as long as 1 could remember. Then when I was ten, I met him for the first time, though I didn't know it was him at the time. He was this really cute, lost little boy, going to Hogwarts for the first time, and he was just... I can't even explain it. Then I found out he was who he was, and my crush and reality smashed together, and 1 was hooked.
"But I never figured that my brain would go on the fritz when I saw him next. I had spent a year reading letters from Ron and the twins all about Harry and things that were happening here at Hogwarts, and my little crush grew to ridiculous levels, but again, I wasn't really aware of it.
"Then he came to stay with us and I suddenly became this shy, awkward, silly little girl with a hero worship complex. I couldn't even breath when I was in the same room with him, much less talk to him. And then I started at Hogwarts, and Something happened. Something really bad."
"The diary, right?" Susan asked. Ginny's eyes shot up and the question was in her eyes.
"Harry sort of told me a bit about what happened. Don't worry, I promised not to say anything." Susan said, her anger ebbing a bit.
Ginny nodded slowly and mumbled a thank you.
"I wish that it had never happened, because it just made everything worse. Not just the self doubt and confusion I was already feeling at being a first year, and not really having any friends, but Harry had to go and save my life. You can imagine what that did to me. If I had been on the edge before, Harry saving me pushed me over.. .hard. I was in love, and no one could tell me differently. The problem was, I couldn't even talk to him. Then Hermione, brilliant witch that she is, told me that I needed to learn to relax. Harry would never notice me if I couldn't talk to him. So I backed off. I even started dating in my third year. Neville took me to the Yule Ball, and I started seeing Michael Corner after that. 1 was becoming a lot more confident in myself, and 1 was starting to feel like I might be worthy of Harry. We even started talking and becoming friends. But I was still blinded by my crush for him to really pay attention."
"What do you mean?" Susan asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Even though we were becoming friends, and even now... I'm so ashamed of this... but I still see the Boy-Who-Lived. I don't know who Harry really is. I've been so wrapped up in this fantasy life, that I still never took the time to get to know the real Harry. But ever since I found out that you two were betrothed, I have been doing a lot of thinking and soul searching."
"But why did you kiss him?" Susan asked irritably.
"Because I had to know." Ginny replied. "I had to know if all the things I convinced myself over the years that I felt were real, or just some really crazy delusion."
"And?" Susan asked.
"You're a very lucky woman, Susan." Ginny said. "If it weren't for the contract, you'd have a real fight on your hands. But, there's nothing I can do to change things now. But I can now get over my feelings. I do care for Harry, very deeply, and it's because I care so deeply that I want him happy. I've seen him with you at his party, and here at school, and between us, I've never seen him smile like he does when he's with you. Like he's just ordinary, which is his greatest desire."
"To be ordinary?" Susan looked confused.
"Think about it. Everything he's endured, and will likely face in the future. If you were in his place, what would your deepest wish be?" Ginny asked.
Susan folded her arms across her chest as she pondered this query. She had to admit that she too would probably just want to have some kind of normalcy.
"I know that they way you two got together wasn't how either of you would have chosen to do so, but you're together now, and you have to understand that you're very lucky. I know that I'm only beginning to see Harry for who he truly is, but I'm also seeing that the real Harry is something much more special than the Boy-Who-Lived." Ginny sighed.
"He's a truly courageous and selfless man. I know in my heart that he will spend his every breath loving you with every piece of his soul, if you let him."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, Ginny wiping at her stinging eyes as she tried not to break down.
"So, what are you going to do?" Susan asked.
"I'm dating Dean Thomas. I'm going to try to make a go of it with him. He's a good guy, and I like him. But Mostly, I'm just going to try and make myself a better person. Like I said, I did a lot of soul searching over the summer, and I was not happy with myself. 1 need to be a better friend, and I'd like to be your friend, if you'd let me."
Susan stared at Ginny for a long time before shaking her head.
"I wish I could just forget things, and we could be friends, but what you did really hurt. I understand why now, but it doesn't change things."
"I understand." Ginny nodded, her eyes cast to the floor.
"Maybe one day you and I might be friends, but not right now. It's still too fresh in my mind. For now though, I think we can manage to be civil to one another."
Ginny gave a weak smile as she offered her hand. "It's a better start than I thought I would get. I was sure we'd be hexing each other here."
Susan shook Ginny's hand, and the two girls left the class. Susan felt that Ginny had shown great courage in facing up to what she'd done, and entrusting Susan with her secrets.
Susan was contemplating a few things Ginny had said as she headed out to the grounds to join up with her friends. While it still made her feel angry that her life had been preordained for her, she knew that things could have been much worse. She could have ended up with a boy who saw the contract as permission to do as he pleased to her. Her Aunt had told her one night over the summer that one of the reasons she bad allowed Harry to come stay with him was to see what kind of person he was. Amelia had explained that in some betrothals, the boy would abuse his bride to be, even raping them in some instances. Although, in those cases, the man had been significantly older. Harry was her age, and pretty much at her level when it came to intimacy experience. Though Susan pretty much knew she had a bit more experience than Harry, thanks in large part to a few games of truth or dare the previous year. Susan didn't think anyone had ever had their hand in his underwear.
Susan felt herself blush as she remembered that particular dare.
Susan was pleased with her situation, all things considered. She and Harry would be able to grow together, and knowing they would be together no matter what did take a lot of pressure off of them both. If they chose to become more intimate, it would be their choice. Not because they were worried of losing the other or some other silly reason that other teens worried about. They could also forge a much deeper emotional connection. They would never have to put up false bravado to impress or keep up some phony effigy of themselves. They could be real and completely honest with each other. They were actually blessed.
As Susan stepped out into the late afternoon sun and spotted her friends waiting for her down by the lake, she sought Harry, spotting his messy black hair immediately. A smile burst forth and she sped her pace. A moment later she was wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling herself up a bit to meet his lips with hers. She kissed him soundly for a few moments, while her friends looked on, some sniggering, other sighing. She didn't care. They'd all have to get used to it, because Harry was hers, and she knew as she tasted him that Ginny Weasley had been right. Susan was lucky. And Susan knew now that she would fight to keep things that way.
"What was that for?" Harry whispered when Susan finally released him.
"I'm just happy to see you." Susan smiled coyly. Harry gave her one of his lopsided grins, and she reached up to brush some of his fringe off his forehead, lightly touching his lightning bolt scar. Harry sighed lightly at her touch and Susan smiled softly. Taking his hand in hers, she and the rest of their group took seats under the oak tree to begin comparing notes from the day's classes.