Chapter 29- Watch out Lavender
A/N: Thanks to all the reviews for the hannahlucyy, SerinityAngels, BookyGurl, coolicetwilight, mitchi-nin and FlameSaybre03 for your reviews of the last chapter! All of your comments and input are greatly appreciated and the support is tremendous. Normally, I would reply but fanfiction was not letting me reply to your revies. Definitely, for this chapter, I'll try find a way to fix that.
And thanks to everyone who continues to place this story on their favourites list or on alert.
Disclaimer: Besides Natalie and Kalissa, I own zero percent of the wizarding world; all of which belongs to the creative genius that is JK Rowling.
Hope you enjoy the chapter!
"Harry, what are you doing with that book?" asked Natalie sharply.
"Looking up some potions," replied Harry nonchalantly, quickly closing the book as he glanced absently around the library. They were in a more secluded corner of the library with only a few first years at a nearby table so Natalie knew nothing had caught Harry's interest.
"For a Transfigurations essay?" asked Hermione, a frown on her face.
"Fine," huffed Harry in annoyance. "I was looking at some of the Prince's spells."
Natalie stared at him reproachfully. "Harry, you can't be using those spells when you don't know the Prince is and you don't know what those spells do. Especially when a few of the spells are specifically marked for 'enemies.'"
"Yes, yes, I know," said Harry in exasperation. "You know, why don't you go play chess with Ron now? It would get you off my case."
Natalie raised her eyebrows at him. After her conversation with him last Saturday, Ron had taken her suggestion to spend more time with her very seriously. Over the past five days, they must have played at least ten chess matches, Even more surprisingly, every day, he asked Natalie to study with him in the library, telling Lavender that he needed help in Transfiguration and Potions. She suspected Ron's newfound resolve to remain at Natalie's side represented more of a signal to Harry and Hermione that while his anger towards them still lingered, he was not severing all connections with them.
"You two must be setting a record for chess matches played in one week," said Hermione bemusedly.
"I don't think I've ever spent so much time alone with Ron," acknowledged Natalie. Looking jokingly at Harry, she added, "You shouldn't be jealous Harry."
In response, both Harry and Hermione were both pleasantly surprised at how well Ron had reacted to Natalie's approach. Though he did not talk much to either of them, he did not treat them with the same dismissive, impassionate coldness of the previous week. There were simple, polite greetings and acknowledgements. To Natalie's relief, Ron elected to sit beside them at some meals and returned to his usual spot in all of their classes at the table the four of them occupied. However, a noticeable tension still hovered between the three very good friends. Ron had indeed confessed to Natalie yesterday that his resentment towards the other two had yet to abate to the point where he could have a reasonable conversation with either Harry or Hermione without losing his temper.
"You should worry about Lavender," warned Harry with a small smile on his face.
"I think I've replaced Hermione as her least favourite person," said Natalie gloomily.
"And not to mention the rumors abound that you've suddenly left Harry Potter for Ron Weasley," added Hermione dramatically.
"I don't remember the gossip at Durmstrang being this bad, but maybe that's because I was never at the center of it," said Natalie.
"How is Ron anyway?" asked Harry, the anxiety evident in his voice. Despite Ron's far less hostile behavior over the past week, not being able to talk to their best friend still brought significant distress to both Harry and Hermione.
"He's doing well," answered Natalie truthfully. "He misses you guys but he says he still needs some more time."
"How much longer do you think?" asked Hermione, staring intently at Natalie.
Natalie smiled. They had this conversation each day from Saturday onwards. "Not much longer- I say the most is about 3 or 4 days. He's not nearly as angry as he was on Saturday."
Harry sighed. "Well that's encouraging. It's nice that the two of you are closer but I still can't believe that he's not angry at you."
Hermione nodded. "When you think about it, nothing makes much sense. Don't take this the wrong way Natalie but Ron's always been, of the three of us, the one who bears grudges for the longest time, especially against people with Slytherin or Death Eater backgrounds. And you saw how long it took Harry to accept who you were."
"I was pretty amazed. I mean one conversation and Ron had no problem who I was," agreed Natalie. "But with the questions he asked me about her, I gathered that he had considered my situation quite a bit. And I think after he saw that I really hate her, everything, how you would say it, clicked for him that I'm only related to her by blood."
"And as well," continued Natalie. "he and I were not very close at all before so I think he understood why I wouldn't tell him about my identity. I know he should be angry at me for forcing you guys to keep my secret but he doesn't seem to see it that way. It's more like he believes-
"That we had a choice to listen to you or tell him and he's angry because we made the former choice," completed Harry for her.
"Yes," said Natalie, smiling at him. "But on Saturday, I might have told you this, but when I asked him what he would do if he was in your position, he said that he would do the exact same thing as you two because it wasn't his secret to tell."
"No, you didn't tell us that Natalie," said Harry, looking slightly taken aback. "Then why would he be so furious with us if he knew we made the right choice?"
"Because the anger still exists, Harry," answered Hermione wisely. "And you can't control it by rationalizing with yourself. Remember in third year when I was furious with him because he hated Crookshanks, well then, I knew that it was a stupid thing to argue about but I was just so angry with Ron that I couldn't talk to him without shouting for a long while."
Harry nodded. "As long as Ron eventually talks to us, I'll be happy," said Harry, the longing clear in his voice.
Natalie placed her hand over his, giving him her warmest smile. "You don't need to worry about that, Harry," said Natalie softly.
Harry squeezed her hand. "Thanks for being smart and brave enough to go to him on Saturday."
Hermione smiled at her too. "It has turned out to be one of your more brilliant ideas."
Natalie shrugged her shoulders, blushing. "I'm the reason we're all in this mess in the first place so you guys shouldn't really be thanking me."
Harry waved her off. "The one good thing that came out of this is that you and Ron got a lot closer."
Natalie smiled. "He's much more mature than I ever thought he could be. And Hermione, he really cares about you."
Hermione's cheeks turned a bright red. "Well," spluttered Hermione. "The feeling's mutual."
"And he doesn't care about me?" asked Harry, a smirk on his face.
Natalie playfully slapped his shoulder. "Not in that way, you twit."
"Anyway, I really need to finish this Transfiguration essay so can we, you know, focus?" said Natalie.
"Of course," said Hermione crisply, returning her eyes to the textbook.
Natalie released her hand from Harry's hand as she reached for more parchment. "What? You don't want to hold hands now?" cried Harry in feigned hurt.
"Honestly," muttered Natalie as Hermione chuckled. "I was just going to get parchment."
The three of them silently finished and checked their essays. They left the library, taking a few secret passageways to reach the corridor leading to the Fat Lady when Natalie spotted Ron walking towards them rather quickly from the opposite direction.
"Get ready for a chess match," whispered Harry in Natalie's ear.
When Ron reached them, he stopped, nodding at the three of them, but also surprisingly gave Harry and Hermione shaky smiles which they returned in turn. The four of them stood in the corridor, each glancing around uneasily. The silence stretched out tenuously with all of them wanting to say something but no one knowing either what to say or having the courage to speak. Natalie had expected Ron to call her for another chess match or ask for help with homework but he looked to be far too nervous for such a simple conversation.
Finally, Natalie, having enough of the extremely awkward pause, broke the silence. "Er, Ron, what's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing," said Ron, rocking on his feet. He turned his head to Harry and Hermione, a determined glint in his eye. Natalie's heart almost leapt out of her chest as she realized he was finally ready to talk to them.
"Er, Ron, I can leave," said Natalie hesitantly.
Ron shot her a confused glance before his face quickly cleared in understanding. "Oh no Natalie," said Ron, fidgeting with his sleeve. "Please stay."
Hermione and Harry, who each bore looks of utter bewilderment, stared between the two of them. "Er, what's happening?" said Harry.
"Nothing," answered Natalie for Ron. She nodded towards Ron, indicating for him to talk to Harry and Hermione.
He returned his gaze to Harry and Hermione. His face absolutely pale and his hands trembling slightly, Ron cleared his throat. "Er, yes, you two," said Ron, gulping. He shook his head, trying to clear himself of the obvious nerves. "I've been acting like a git the past couple of weeks. I was angry with you two for keeping Natalie's identity secret and er, I just wanted to say I'm sorry."
Both Harry and Hermione looked completely stunned before a brief moment before their faces broke out in genuine pleasure. Neither appeared to have expected Ron to choose this moment to reconcile with them.
"Ron, you had every right to be angry with us," said Hermione warmly as she stepped forward and gently tugged at his sleeve.
"Yeah, mate. I would be pissed if I was in your position," agreed Harry, also stepping forward.
Ron ran a hand through his air. "I still don't like what you guys did," said Ron quietly. "But I understand it and to be honest, I can't stand being angry with you guys for so long."
"Neither can we," said Hermione. Natalie had never seen such a jubilant and radiant expression on Hermione's face.
"You don't need to apologize to us, Ron," said Harry firmly.
"I do," croaked Ron, smiling weakly at Harry. "You two did the right thing but not telling me, uh, I won't pretend, it hurt."
The last two words lingered in the air. With those words, the familiar guilt surged through Natalie but the confession by Ron struck an air of finality as if the four of them had finally crossed an invisible threshold.
Hermione, whose eyes were welled with tears, pulled Ron into a tight hug. For once, Ron reciprocated the hug, burying his face in her hair. Harry pattted Ron on the back, a sad smile on his face.
"We're sorry, Ron," said Harry softly.
"It's in the past you two. I can't be angry at you for so long," said Ron, his voice cracking and his arms still wrapped around Hermione.
Recognizing that the two of them likely wanted a few moments alone, Natalie motioned to Harry for them to continue to the portrait. Harry nodded and the two of them resumed their walk to the Fat Lady. As she passed Ron, Natalie winked at him as if to say 'I told you so.' Ron merely grinned at her.
The next few days passed in a happy, satisfying bur. Ron brought a refreshing energy that Harry and Hermione desperately needed. The renewed spirit rejuvenated each one of them, bringing them all slightly closer together with the knowledge that they all shared information of such importance. Her identity known and accepted by all three, Natalie finally felt like a legitimate member of the group.
The four of them were sitting in a sunny corner of the courtyard after lunch the Wednesday of the following week. Hermione and Ron were both clutching a Ministry of Magic leaflet- Common Apparition Mistakes and How to Avoid Them- for they were taking their tests that afternoon. While Hermione appeared reasonably calm, Ron was visibly on edge.
"Does my whole body have to apparate?" grumbled Ron, flipping through the pamphlet.
"I reckon that's the point of the test mate," said Harry, resting his head against the tree.
Ron shot him a scathing glare. "I don't need the mocking comments, thank you."
Natalie laughed. "Ron, being nervous won't help you. Look at Hermione."
Ron rolled his eyes. "Hermione's a professional at this. She can probably do that 3 D's thing in her sleep."
"No, I cannot," said Hermione, her eyes fixed on the leaflet. "You just have to concentrate Ron and you'll be fine."
"Oh, looks like we have a messenger," said Natalie pointedly, jerking her head towards a girl approaching them from around the corner.
Harry frowned. "Dumbledore said that we won't have any more lessons until I get Slughorn's memory."
The girl reached them, handing Harry a small scroll of parchment. As she walked away, Harry unrolled the parchment. Rather than finding Dumbledore's long, narrow, slanted writing, the parchment contained an untidy sprawl, very difficult to read due to the presence of large blotches on the parchment where the ink had run.
"Hagrid," said Harry in response to Natalie and Hermione's inquisitive glances. "It looks like Aragog died," said Harry sadly as he handed the note over to Hermione.
"And he wants us to come to the burial tonight," said Hermione in exasperation. "He does know that we're not allowed at night."
"What?" exclaimed Ron furiously, raising his eyes from the Ministry pamphlet. "That bloody thing tried to eat us. And now Hagrid expects us to go down there and cry over its horrible body."
"There's quite a bit of security too," added Natalie. "They've increased the number of Aurors patrolling the grounds."
"Hagrid really liked him though and it looks like he's been crying," said Harry quietly.
"Harry, we've risked a lot for Hagrid over the years but to get a detention for a burial just seems pointless," said Hermione.
"I'm not going anyway- I'm happy to see that thing dead," muttered Ron, causing Hermione to shoot him a disapproving glare. "Hermione, you didn't see him- he wasn't the nicest bloke around."
Harry sighed. "I know, Hermione. I suppose Hagrid'll have to bury Aragog for us."
Hermione looked quite relieved. "Getting back to Slughorn, when do you er plan to use the Felix Felicis? Potions will be almost empty this afternoon, with all of us doing our tests."
"You're using the Felix Felicis?" said Ron in confusion.
Natalie raised her hand to her forehead. "Oh yeah, of course, we forgot to tell you. Harry decided on two weeks ago to use the potion to get Slughorn's memory."
"Since we weren't talking to each other, you wouldn't have known," explained Hermione.
"Oh, that's actually bloody brilliant," exclaimed Ron delightedly. "Why didn't you think of it before?"
"Harry was saving it for Malfoy," answered Natalie, earning a rueful look from Harry.
Hermione shook her head at Harry. "Just get him out of-
"Alright, alright Hermione," said Harry wearily. "I get the point."
Before Hermione could impress upon Harry further, Natalie spoke. "When are you planning to use it Harry?"
Harry nodded. "Sometime in the next few days. I was going to use it straight after we decided but er with telling Ron and everything, I wasn't really in the mood."
"Well don't let me ruin your fun," said Ron, a grin appearing on his face.
"Just use it soon," insisted Hermione, staring at Harry.
"Why not this afternoon?" posed Natalie. "Like Hermione said, it's probably going to be just you, me, Malfoy and Ernie."
Harry shook his head. "I don't feel comfortable confronting Slughorn about his memory when others could overhear."
"He means Malfoy," said Hermione curtly.
"I do have a point, don't I?" retorted Harry.
Natalie sighed. "I suppose there is that risk though the luck should guard against something like that happening. Then why not tonight?"
"Yes, why not?" agreed Hermione.
"Stop nagging him, the two of you," said Ron, yawning. "And besides Hermione, we have to go soon for that ruddy test."
"Harry needs to stop procrastinating," snapped Hermione.
"Harry? Tonight?" pressed Natalie.
Harry rolled his eyes at both Hermione and Natalie. "Fine. I'll take it and try to get the memory from him tonight."
"Ah, Harry, you're giving him into them," moaned Ron.
"Oh, just keep quiet," said Natalie, waving him off dismissively.
Hermione smiled at Harry before she stood up. "That's decided then," said Hermione, performing a graceful pirouette."Destination… determination… deliberaton…." she murmured.
Ron groaned. "Oh stop that. I feel sick enough as it is."
"You should go before Lavender decides to give her 'Won-won' a good luck kiss," said Natalie scornfully.
"Yes, let's go," said Ron earnestly, immediately standing up. "Where is she anyway?" muttered Ron, looking anxiously around.
"She's not taking the test?" asked Harry.
"Not old enough," said Ron, still looking around for Lavender. "I hope she's too angry with me not to talk. She gave me this whole long story about how we should take everything together. Bloody annoying."
"Come on Ron," said Hermione, her eyes sparkling in amusement.
"Good luck!" said Natalie, smiling at the two of them.
"Yeah, mate, you'll be fine," said Harry confidently.
Both Hermione and Ron nodded at them before they walked off into the castle to head for their test in Hogsmeade.
Natalie slid closer to Harry, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Ah, we can enjoy some time alone," murmured Harry to her.
"Do alert me if one of your fangirls takes their wand out," said Natalie, closing her eyes as Harry placed an arm around her.
"Of course," replied Harry, kissing her forehead.
"How long do we have until Potions?"
"About another hour."
"Oh good," said Natalie, sighing in content as she snuggled up to Harry.
In potions that afternoon, as Natalie predicted, there were only four of them: her, Harry, Malfoy and Ernie. Slughorn, in his typical grandiose fashion, assigned them the competition of brewing 'something amusing' for him to inspect. Natalie elected to prepare a simple Calming draught, but added a small yet concentrated touch of belladonna to counteract the usual drowsiness resulting from the draught. Not to her surprise, Malfoy displayed little interest in the class, his face extremely sour. Harry, when he was not scrutinizing Malfoy out of the corner of his eyes, looked to be determinedly following instructions from the Prince's notes. Ernie, of the four, appeared to be the only taking Slughorn's competition seriously. Obviously, after seven months worth of Slughorn lavishing Harry, the righteous minded Hufflepuff was determined to outshine Harry
And an hour and a half later, Harry won the competition with a sunshine yellow potion designed to induce intense waves of euphoria in the drinker. Slughorn waved off Natalie's potion as a practical but not an entirely novel creation, Malfoy's Hiccuping brew as merely passable and Ernie's cuddled, purple dumping as a courageous attempt. Natalie almost snorted when Slughorn pondered excitedly where Harry's brilliant ideas originated. She winked at Harry, noticing him discreetly pushing the Prince's book deeper into his bag with his foot.
Despite Slughorn's approval, Harry could not corner him at the end of the class. As soon as Malfoy and Ernie left, Slughorn glanced over his shoulder at the two of them, hurrying out of the room as fast as he could.
"Congratulations! Stroke of genius that was," said Natalie mockingly as she cleaned her cauldron and returned all her supplies to her Potion set.
"I thought it would put him in a good mood," said Harry thoughtfully. "You know for tonight."
Natalie rolled her eyes at him. "The Felix will make sure he's in a good mood Harry."
"I hope so anyway."
Once both their bags were packed, they both exited the classroom. "He's certainly good at evading people," said Natalie.
"That's for certain. For somebody so big, he definitely knows how to disappear quickly," said Harry bitterly.
"Can you blame him though? He must know that whatever he's hiding is pretty important and so it must be second nature now for him to look over his shoulder," said Natalie pensively.
"I suppose so. It would be so much easier if he was just honest with Dumbledore in the first place," said Harry in frustration.
"Yes, I know. But pride is a very strong motivating factor," replied Natalie. "I suppose he doesn't want a lot of people knowing how Voldemort hoodwinked him so easily."
"And I imagine that convincing him to give me that memory will be quite the effort."
"But you'll have the Felix Harry," added Natalie. "I read a few books in the library about what it actually does. The way it works is that it somehow coordinates all your actions so that you arrive at exactly the outcome you want. From my reading, it will make sure you act so that you can have a private conversation with Slughorn, and then ensure that you say all the right things to persuade him to give you that memory."
Harry smiled at her. "You make it sound so easy."
Natalie shrugged her shoulders. "Harry, it's liquid luck- it should be that easy."
Harry nodded. "It will certainly help. I just want to get that memory so Dumbledore can show me more."
Natalie returned his smile. "When do Ron and Hermione come back from their test?"
"About half an hour I reckon," said Harry, glancing at his watch. "By the way, did you see how tired Malfoy looks?"
"Harry," warned Natalie though Harry was correct. There was no air of smugness, excitement and superiority around Malfoy; he possessed none of the swagger that he vaunted earlier in the year and even in her last encounter with him when both of them had pulled their wands on one another.
"I don't think his mission is going that well," said Harry, unrestrained glee in his voice.
"Having Voldemort breathing down your neck will do that to a person," said Natalie.
"As you've said before," noted Harry.
"But you may be right though Harry," conceded Natalie. "He certainly looks quite exhausted."
"Yes!" exclaimed Harry, swinging his fist triumphantly in the air.
"But that does not mean that you should make it your life goal to stop whatever he's doing," said Natalie as firmly as he could.
"Yes, yes, I know, mother," said Harry snidely, earning a smack on the arm from Natalie.
"Let's just go the Common room and enjoy some time together," said Natalie, desire filling her stomach as she thought of cuddling against Harry in their customary armchair in front of the fireplace.
"It has been a rather good afternoon," commented Harry, his eyes sparkling. Natalie knew he was referring to their intense snogging session just before Potions in one of the unused classrooms in the dungeons.
"I was half expecting Snape to walk in on us at any moment," said Natalie, running a hand through her air.
"The risk does make it more enticing. Not that snogging you isn't always mind numbing amazing."
Natalie blushed. "Trust me, the feeling's reciprocated."
"Glad to know that I'm so skilled," said Harry airily.
"Arrogant git," muttered Natalie, seeing the far too pleased expression on her boyfriend's face.
Ron and Hermione returned later that afternoon.
"I passed!" cried Hermione, almost running through the portrait hole towards them.
Ron followed slowly behind her, a surly expression on his face.
"Well done!" said Natalie, beaming at Hermione. "How did Ron do?" asked Natalie in a quieter voice.
"He- he just failed," whispered Hermione as she sat in the armchair directly in front of the fire. "It was really unlucky, a tiny thing, the examiner just spotted that he'd left half an eyebrow."
"Oh," said Natalie, looking sympathetically at Ron who dropped onto the settee besides her.
"Bad luck mate," said Harry. "You'll pass time- you can take it with Natalie and I."
Natalie patted his arm consolingly. "Loads of people don't pass on the first try."
"Yeah, I suppose," said Ron grumpily. "But half an eyebrow! How the bloody hell does that matter?"
"I know," said Hermione soothingly. "It does seem really harsh…"
They spent most of their dinner thoroughly abusing the Apparation examiner to the extent that Ron looked fractionally more cheerful by the time they set off back to the Common room.
Once they left the Great Hall, Hermione looked around before staring intently at Harry. "You are using the Felix, aren't you?"
"Yes Hermione," answered Harry. "I don't reckon I'll need all of it, not twenty-fours worth, it can't take all night…I'll just take a mouthful. Two or three hours should do it."
"It's a wonderful feeling you know. Like you're just soaring in the skies," said Ron fondly.
Natalie raised her eyebrows at him. "You never took it?"
Ron shrugged his shoulders at her. "I thought I took it- there's not much of a difference, is there?"
"Yes there is," protested Natalie vehemently.
"I think what Ron meant to say is that the feelings of elation and exhilaration are the same in both instances," said Hermione, laughing.
"Thank you, my dear," said Ron, tipping his head to Hermione who only laughed louder.
Natalie shook her head at the two of them. "Don't defend him Hermione. He knows what he said."
Before Ron could reply, Harry motioned his head to Professor McGonagall who was heading towards them.
"Oh, that's probably for me," said Natalie excitedly.
"A letter from Kalissa," said Hermione knowingly.
"Hello Professor," said Ron jovially as McGonagall reached them.
"Weasley," acknowledged McGonagall stiffly. "You look awfully cheerful. I trust your apparition tests went so well?"
Ron suddenly started fidgeting with the sleeve of his jumper. "Um, well, Hermione passed but we all knew she would-
"And you?" asked McGonagall sharply as she gave Hermione a small smile.
Ron cringed. "I failed- though only by half an eyebrow."
A look of sympathy briefly flashed on McGonagall's face. "There is always next time."
She turned to Natalie. "Miss Malkae, I would like to see you in my office sometime soon. I have an essay to return to you," said McGonagall, her eyes boring into Natalie's brown orbs.
"Of course Min- Professor," said Natalie, wincing as she realized her stumble.
McGonagall's lips pursed. "Very well. Please come as soon as possible. I do have some marking to do."
As McGonagall walked away, Ron sniggered. "Very discreet that was. If that's how the Order operates, no wonder they're not doing so well."
On the receiving end of indignant glares from the other three, Ron quickly receded. "They're not doing that bad, are they?"
"Not bad but not good from what Remus said," said Harry, frowning.
"I don't think that has anything with how discreet Minerva is with me," said Natalie, still glaring at Ron. "Anyway, I think I'll go now- she can get quite angry if you keep her waiting."
"I can imagine," agreed Ron, shuddering slightly.
Natalie rolled her eyes at him before she took hold of Harry's hands. "Listen Harry, please take the Felix tonight and don't worry about anything. You'll do fine-just let the potion carry you on its course." She gave Harry a small peck on the lips, smiling softly at him.
"I'll let you know how it goes when I come back," whispered Harry, his gaze swallowing her.
Natalie nodded to Ron and Hermione before she followed Minerva to her office. Reaching the office, Natalie was not surprised to see the Transfigurations professor sitting at her desk, her stern gaze fixated on a paper in front of her.
Upon hearing Natalie enter, Minerva lifted her head. "Ah, Natalie, thank you for being so prompt." She waved her wand, closing the door and with another swish, cast the appropriate silencing charm.
"A letter from Kalissa?" asked Natalie eagerly.
A genuine smile finally broke across Minerva's face. "What else would it be?"
She flicked her wand at her desk. A drawer quickly opened and a long scroll of parchment floated into Natalie's hands. "Another essay," noted Natalie amusedly.
"Yes indeed," said Minerva. "One would think that the last time she saw you was 2 years ago instead of a fortnight ago."
"Have you seen her since then?" asked Natalie, looking hopefully at Minerva.
"Yes, I have," said Minerva. "She is doing well- much better than before your meeting two weeks."
"Good," said Natalie in relief. "I was worried about her."
"As was I," stated Minerva, a soft expression on her face. "She puts too much pressure on herself I think."
"Will I able to see her before the end of term?" asked Natalie.
Minerva sighed. "You may but in all likelihood, the next time you will see her should be in the summer. Bringing her to the Hog's head involves, shall we say, very elaborate planning and magic to make sure neither the Aurors nor any other suspicious characters notice."
"Nobody's noticed, have they?" said Natalie fearfully, remembering the attack on Christmas.
"As far as Albus knows, no. We have been very careful but as you may have surmised from the Prophet, You know who has spies everywhere."
"They've practically infiltrated the Ministry," said Natalie disdainfully.
"There has been too much information leaked," conceded Minerva. "Not as much as last time but still, it's very troubling."
"We'll get through this and fight them back," said Natalie determinedly.
Minerva raised her eyebrows at her. "Not 'we'. If Kalissa or I for that matter have anything to say about it, you'll be right here at Hogwarts for the next two years."
Natalie laughed. "Not that I'd mind- Hogwarts has been pretty nice."
"I would have expected to use a much stronger superlative. Kalissa is absolutely thrilled with how you've managed here," said Minerva, the adoration and pride in her voice evident.
Natalie nodded at Minerva. "So I suppose you do have quite a bit of marking."
"First years," said Minerva frustration. "Marking those essays seems to take inordinate amounts of time."
"Thanks for the letter," said Natalie, smiling at her. "I'll see you tomorrow in Transfiguration."
Minerva nodded as Natalie turned around to leave the office. "Do make sure to tell Weasley to stop staring at Miss Granger during the class- his attention and performance is waning."
Natalie chortled, her back to Minerva. "Oh Minerva, how I love your humour." She opened the door, leaving the office with a bounce in her step. She quickly moved to the Fat Lady, using as many of the secret passageways and turns as she could, intent on finding out how the potion had affected Harry.
Once she mumbled the password to the Fat Lady and climbed through the portrait, Natalie was greeted by an entirely unexpected scene. Lavender stood in the middle of the common room, her arms against her hips, looking absolutely irate. Ron was leaning against one of the armchairs at the back of the common room, receding under Lavender's searing glaze. Most of Gryffindor house was in the common room with all eyes fixed on Lavender and Ron. As quietly as she could, Natalie made her way to Hermione who was nervously watching the encounter a few feet away from Ron.
"What happened?" whispered Natalie curiously as she stepped besides Hermione. A few heads had turned to them including Lavender.
"Looks like your sidekick has come to defend you, Granger," spat Lavender, taking a step towards Natalie and Hermione.
"I have no idea why you're so angry," said Natalie coolly, staring directly at Lavender.
Lavender laughed obnoxiously. "Of course you have no idea! How would you know that she was shagging my boyfriend behind my back?"
Natalie almost laughed at the absurdity of the statement. "Now, you're the one who's making more sense, Lavender," snapped Natalie, her temper flaring at the disgusted looks Lavender was shooting Hermione. "They have done no such thing- do you really think Hermione is the type of person to do something like that?"
"Honestly, Lavender, nothing's happened between us," said Hermione firmly, also meeting Lavender's gaze. However, by the slight trembling in her fingers, Natalie could tell that these accusations were affecting her.
"Then how do you expect the fact that I caught the two of you coming back from Ron's dormitory without either Harry or Natalie?" snarled Lavender. Her comment was accompanied by a few, very shocked gasps. "From his dormitory!"
This time, Natalie did laugh. "Lavender, how paranoid can you get? Hermione's been to that dormitory loads of times."
"Yes she has," said Ron earnestly, speaking for once. When Lavender's vicious gaze returned to him, he took a step back, spluttering.
Lavender's face, if possible, became even more livid. "Don't bullshit me Natalie. You know as well I do that Hermione's been after Ron ever since he started going out with me."
"You really do think quite highly of yourself, don't you?" stated Natalie disgustedly.
"Oh so now, this is suddenly my fault?" exclaimed Lavender dramatically. "Your friend is just a nasty, jealous and pathetic, little harlot."
Natalie immediately reached for her wand, but she was held back by Hermione. "She doesn't mean the things she's saying," whispered Hermione, her eyes slightly wet. "She's not worth a detention."
"Lavender, stop it now. Don't you dare call Hermione that," said Ron, an unusual coldness to his voice as he finally moved towards Lavender so that they were only a few feet apart.
"Why? It's true, isn't it?" asked Lavender shrilly, looking around the common room for support. Nobody else agreed with Lavender, not even Parvati who looked to be conspicuously hidden. All saw the raging fury on Natalie's face and the iciness in Ron's eyes.
The lack of encouragement seemed to fuel Lavender further. "She'd rather sleep with a book than a boy and you can't tell me there's anything nice about her appearance! That hair and remember those teeth she had before fourth year. And the clothes she wears, even my grand-
"Lavender, shut the hell up," said Ron with that brutal iciness. "I happen to find her absolutely brilliant and I love her for all those things. You need to learn that a bloke doesn't like a girl just for great curves and a good snog."
"I did so much for you this year and this is how you treat me!" cried Lavender, on the verge of tears.
"If you talk to my friends like that, then I don't want to be with you," stated Ron as if it was the most obvious fact in the world.
Lavender's hand came hurtling at Ron's face. The sharp, punctuated click of the smack reverberated across the common room as everyone stared in astonishment.
"Ronald Weasley!, YOU ARE AN ABSOLUTE AND UTTER ARSE! GET THE BLOODY HELL AWAY FROM ME," screamed Lavender, her voice reaching octaves Natalie did not know existed. She stomped on her foot before running up the staircase to the girls dormitory, tears cascading along her face. Parvati quickly emerged from a corner of the common room and rushed up the girls' staircase to comfort her friend.
Ron moved to Hermione in a few, easy strides, casting his arm protectively around the shaken girl. "Hermione, I'm so sorry," whispered Ron, a powerfully warm, loving caress attached to his voice. "None of those things she said are true at all."
Hermione nodded weakly, smiling at Ron, letting herself slide into his grip. "I know," replied Hermione so that only Ron and Natalie could hear. "Thank you, Ron. What you did was incredibly brave."
Natalie cleared her throat, causing the two of them to both jerk their heads from each other to her. "Um, you two," said Natalie in a hushed voice, letting her eyes flicker over the rest of the common who were now watching Ron and Hermione. "You know, er, we or at least you two should go somewhere more private."
The other two seemed to realize at once that they were still in the middle of the Gryffindor common room. Though the expressions on the faces of most suggested shock and amazement at what happened, a few of the 4th and 5th year girls, who were closer to Lavender than Hermione, bore very affronted, grievous looks.
"Yes," said Hermione uneasily. "I think we should. Outside?"
"My dormitory," said Ron confidently. "So who cares what they think? Nobody except Dean and Seamus will come up there."
Natalie, staring skeptically at Ron, nodded. "Fine. I'll stay here to give-
"No," said Ron, interrupting Natalie. "You're coming up with us. We need to tell you about Harry."
"Yes," said Hermione, an unusually devious grin coming across her face. "And plus, if you come up, they'll know Ron and I aren't shagging right after he broke up with Lavender."
Natalie blinked in astonishment at Hermione's statement before breaking out in laughter. Ron, who seemed equally as surprised as Natalie, gave a crooked grin. "I'm definitely going to keep this memory bottled up," said Natalie pointedly. " Anyway, let's go- I don't think my laughing has put me in any good graces with some of those girls."
Hermione and Ron, with his arm still slung over her shoulders, walked to the boy's staircase, proceeding to climb the stairs to the 6th year boys' dormitory. Natalie followed them, making sure to return some of the threatening glares sent in their direction.
"You two definitely did give everybody a week's worth of gossip," commented Natalie acidly once they were out of earshot of everyone else.
They entered the dormitory. Natalie sat on Harry's bed while Ron and Hermione both dropped onto Ron's bed. "I have to applaud you Ron, though," said Natalie, winking at him. "For someone who's been trying to avoid Lavender for most of the past two months, confronting her like that was pretty impressive."
Ron's face flushed. "I didn't like what she said about Hermione. Maybe it was a bit harsh, but breaking up with her was going to be ugly either way."
"What she said was horrible," said Natalie savagely. "I was ready to try out a few of the Prince's curses on her."
"And get a week's worth of detention?" asked Hermione, looking at Natalie in amusement. "The way Ron acted was the best way to handle the situation." Focusing her eyes upon Ron and placing her hand on his hand, she smiled at him, her face positively glowering with admiration.
"Still, it would have been nice to try 'Levicorpus' on Lavender," pondered Natalie dreamily, pretending not to notice the two intertwined hands.
"You really do have a fast wand, don't you?" asked Ron.
"With who my mother is, would you expect anything less?" responded Natalie, shocking herself as well as Ron and Hermione that she could joke so easily about her identity.
Ron laughed while Hermione merely smiled.
"Anyway, how did it go with Harry?" asked Natalie, remembering the main reason she wanted to speak to Ron and Hermione.
"Well, he took the potion," said Hermione, frowning. "And as soon as he drank it, he was instantaneously on a high-like how Ron described the feeling before."
Natalie ignored the knowing smirk Ron was giving her. "That's to be expected though," stated Natalie.
Hermione nodded. "Yes, that wasn't too surprising, but then he decided to attend Hagrid's burial."
"What?" exclaimed Natalie.
"Yes, I know," agreed Hermione. "How would he meet Slughorn if he's at Hagrid's hut?"
Natalie considered Hermione's question, hoping that Harry had not used the Felix for nothing. "I read that as long as he has the specific outcome in mind, the Felix will direct him so that he achieves that outcome."
"Harry knew he was taking the Felix to get Slughorn's memory," said Ron reasonably.
"Yes," said Natalie. "Maybe then, that impulse to see Hagrid was directed by the Felix?"
"That's what I thought too," said Hermione. "The way he suddenly decided to go visit Hagrid was far too impulsive, even for Harry."
"We'll see in a couple of hours if the Felix was useful. Hopefully, Harry made sure that confronting Slughorn was his highest priority," said Natalie, trying to sound more confident than she felt.
The door abruptly slammed open, causing all three of them to swiftly turn around and raise their wands. Upon realizing the cause of the disturbance, all three dropped their wands in bemused relief. Dean Thomas stood in the doorway, his hands raised defensively across his head.
"What are you two doing here?" asked Dean harshly, motioning his head to Natalie and Hermione.
"Uh, yeah mate," stammered Ron. "Well, Lavender and I broke up so we wanted to get away from all the commotion in the common room."
"Oh," said Dean, understanding spreading across his face. "We heard some screaming inside the common room-sounded quite a bit like Lavender."
"We?" asked Natalie curiously.
Dean's face darkened. "Ginny and I."
"Where were the two of you anyway?" asked Ron suspiciously.
Dean walked across the room, furiously opened the hangings and collapsed on the bed. "We broke up," said Dean, viciously kicking off his shoes.
"Oh," said Ron, looking extremely uncomfortable. "Uh, well, er I'm sorry mate."
Dean laughed ruefully. "Don't be. She's been biting my head off for weeks."
Ron's face reddened. "Now, listen, here, she's my sister-
"Ron," interrupted Hermione, placing an arm on his shoulder. "Dean's right- the two of you seemed a bit rocky for the past week or so," said Hermione cautiously, looking over to Dean's bed.
"Yeah, we have," said Dean quietly, positioning himself so that he was facing the three of them with his back to the wall. "I didn't mean to say that about your sister, Ron. We've just been not as close you know like you and Lavender."
The heated look on Ron's face quickly dissipated. "Well, it happens," said Ron. His tone suggested a much greater depth of experience than he actually had.
"It certainly has been a bad night for romance," noted Natalie.
"You'd better watch out for you and Harry," said Ron, winking at her.
"I knew that was coming," muttered Natalie, causing Dean to laugh.
However, she noticed Dean looking at her with a contemplative expression on his face.
"Er, Dean, everything alright?" asked Natalie, shifting under his gaze.
Dean blinked as he shook his head, lifting himself out of his reverie. "Sorry about that Natalie- I was thinking about something," said Dean sheepishly.
"May we ask?" said Hermione.
"Ask what?" said Dean confusedly.
"About what you were thinking about?" finished Natalie, smiling at Dean.
"Er, you two, there's some things that blokes really wouldn't discuss with girls," said Ron, a red tinge returning to his ears.
"No, it's not that," said Dean, frantically shaking his head. "That's not even remotely close- no offense Natalie but I wasn't looking at you that way."
Natalie snorted. "Honestly, Ron, get your mind out of the gutters."
"I was just thinking about Ginny," said Dean, his gaze averted from the three of them.
"We're sorry Dean-it must be very difficult for both of you," said Hermione sympathetically as Natalie smiled. Ron looked like he wanted to say something, but managed to remain silent.
"There'll be others I suppose," replied Dean, a sigh on his face. "Anyway, I'm going to sleep. Are you two staying here?" He looked towards Natalie and Hermione.
Hermione blushed. "No, we couldn't do that. We'll just wait till Lavender and Parvati go to sleep."
"If we go in there with Lavender still pissed, I'd imagine there'd be some serious injuries," commented Natalie, a smirk on her face.
Dean nodded, yawning. "Best to stay away from her. Good night. If you don't want me to hear anything, just use a Silencing charm- especially since it seems Harry is absent tonight."
He closed the hangings on his bed as shock blanketed the other three faces. Natalie obliged with Dean's request, waving her wand to cast a Silencing charm around his bed so that he could not hear them talk.
"Well," spluttered Natalie. "That was certainly interesting."
"Bloody awkward if you ask me," said Ron groggily.
"It was unexpected," said Hermione in bewilderment.
"What time is it anyway?" asked Natalie, trying to change the subject.
Hermione looked at her watch. "It is a bit early to sleep."
"What time do you reckon Harry will be back?" asked Ron.
"If he is able to get the memory, then I suppose he'll probably go to Dumbledore' office- I mean it is Harry- so it will be a late night," answered Natalie.
"He has the Felix so he shouldn't get caught by a teacher," noted Ron thoughtfully.
Natalie nodded. "That's my logic- if the Felix can help him acquire the memory, then surely, it will guide him to Dumbledore's office safely."
"And plus it's just Harry's naturally impulsive behavior to go to Dumbledore's office," added Natalie, a rueful smile on her face.
Ron laughed. "I think I'm going to tell him you said that."
"It is true, Ron," said Hermione, smiling at Natalie. "Harry does have a tendency to er improvise."
"Anyway, he can tell us tomorrow morning," concluded Natalie. "And since he hasn't come back yet, I'm taking it as a sign that he indeed did get the memory even though it seems almost impossible that he would meet Slughorn at Aragog's burial."
The other two nodded. "I'll just be happy to finally find out what the bloody hell Horcruxes are," muttered Ron wistfully.
Natalie noticed with a slight startle that the two of them were very close on his bed. If Seamus or Neville entered the room, it would not be too much of a stretch for either to form an inappropriate conclusion.
"Fancy a game of chess, Natalie?" asked Ron, an eager look on his face that jerked Natalie from her brief musings.
"Yeah, why not? We have some time," said Natalie. "I might as well beat you."
"As if you can," scoffed Ron.
"We're tied 12-12, you arrogant twit."
"You've played 24 chess matches?" exclaimed Hermione.
"All in the last two weeks," said Ron.
"Let's get to it then," stated Natalie, grinning smugly at him. "I'm starting to see your weaknesses."
Hermione laughed. "I think I'm going to get ahead on some reading- Ron, do you have your Transfigurations textbook?"
Natalie rolled her eyes. "You're already ahead Hermione. Let's just play our chess match- Ron, ready?"
A/N: How did you like the chapter?