Beta's 5/8/2015
Polgara, KennethRose, Allen, and Me, myself, and I.
Chapter 20, A New Routine
Harry woke slowly to the sounds of movement just outside of the beds drapes. He felt Hermione in his arms. Still half dazed from sleep he took a deep breath letting her scent, and the smell of the heather she was so fond of, fill him. Slowly letting it out he tried to tune in to what had woken him. He could hear movement and two female voices talking quietly. Not quietly enough to not be heard, but quietly for them. He almost groaned in frustration. He had forgotten how loud her dorm mates were in the morning.
"You wake her up. I'm not opening those curtains."
He distinctly picked out Parvati's comment. Harry tightened his grip on Hermione. He had really gotten used to snuggling with her in the mornings. "You scared Parvati?" Lavender… Harry thought.
"Of Hermione? Too right. Besides, what I don't see, I can't be responsible for. If Harry's in there, I don't want to know about it. It's her business."
Harry slowly opened his eyes at the mention of his name. He guessed they were not as clever as he thought they were if they thought he was in here. He lazed in the bed listening to the argument continue.
"Come on, take a peek. It's nothing we haven't seen before if it's just Granger. If Harry is in there, that's a bonus." He heard Lavender egg on her dorm mate. Harry rolled his eyes.
"You want to know so bad you look. It took me all summer to get control of my blemishes and I'll not risk three months hard work for your curiosity. I am not so curious to know if the rumors of Harry's bits are true."
"That's not what you said two weeks ago."
Harry felt his eyes open wide. There was no way they were sitting there discussing him like that.
"That was then, and this is now. You didn't see the way she was looking at Romilda Vane last night. I did, and I want no part of it. You have eyes Lavender, you look. Better yet, look at her bedside table. That is a contraceptive vial from Madam Midnights. She's claimed him, and he's obviously claimed her if she's taking birth control. She's been setting that vial out there since last year. I don't understand why you care so much anyways. You don't even like Harry that way."
"I just want to know if little Ms. Goody Goody is actually shagging the Boy Who Lived."
Harry felt Hermione turn in his arms putting her mouth next to his ear. "I should get that on a T-shirt. What do you think Harry? A nice, tight t-shirt with 'She-Who-Shagged-The-Boy-Who-Lived" right across my chest?"
Harry choked at the thought which silenced the two girls who were talking a moment ago. "What was that?"
"It was just Hermione getting up most likely. Are we going to breakfast or not?"
"Fine!" They heard Lavender huff. "We'll go to breakfast. But I am not going to believe she's shagging him until I see Harry sneaking into or out of her bed curtains. There is just no way that Hermione freaking Granger is having sex before we are."
Hermione smiled knowingly giving Harry a very soft slow kiss that lasted until they heard the door close. Hermione sighed. "I suppose we should be getting about."
Harry nodded while looking at the bed curtain as if he could see through it. "I wonder what time it is."
His lover stretched deliciously against him reaching through the curtain to fumble for a moment. She brought her wrist watch back from where it rested on the table checking the time. "Ugh. It's already seven."
"I can't believe we slept in so late. I can't remember the last time we slept until seven."
"What time did Professor McGonagall say she wanted to meet with us so we could go to Diagon Alley?"
Harry back to the short meeting they had with her the previous night. "Eight, I think. She mentioned that she had to hand out course schedules first and talk to a few of our classmates about their classes this year. I vaguely remember she said a few didn't make the O.W.L.s for what they wanted."
"I wonder what our O.W.L.s were… I don't suppose Dobby could get them from the Closet of Doom could he?"
Harry shrugged. "I can ask him after I sneak out of here. It might be easier to get them from Professor McGonagall. I don't know what you are worried about; you know you got twelve O.W.L.s."
"Maybe. It's been awhile since we took them. I'm not really sure how well I did. Let's get after it then. We've been lazy enough when Lavender and Parvati beat us to breakfast."
Harry chuckled while opening up the bed curtains. Their clothes from last night were missing. Harry assumed the house elves had already grabbed them. He reached under Hermione's bed pulling the saddle bag out.
"She's going to be a nightmare now that she is Prefect love. We're going to have to rethink our sleeping arrangements. Are you still confident she is the right one for the job now?" he asked while searching for the fresh set of road wear they usually kept in it. He opened the flap, pulling out a handful of Hermione's clothes and tossing them to her before pulling out his own.
"I don't have to like her to think she will do a good job Harry. We can always sleep in our flat. That way, we'd know if anyone was about before you left. It'd be loads easier for a lot of things other than our sleeping in the same bed. We still need to go over what I found in Dumbledore's desk and that is something I don't want just lying about anyhow." He nodded while dressing quickly. Once finished he gave Hermione a long kiss. "It sound good, but you're looking through the peephole when it's time for me to nip into the elf tunnels. I'll meet you in the great hall after your shower love."
Despite the longer route through the elf tunnels he managed to beat Hermione to the Great Hall by at least fifteen minutes. He decided to wait for her outside of the hall. When she finally did round the corner and make her way to him he could tell she was agitated by something.
He fell into step beside her as she crossed the threshold. "You okay?"
"I'm fine Harry. Ron just proved why I didn't want to be Prefect this year."
"Uh-huh. What he do now?"
"He was just Ron. I was just walking out the Portrait hole when I heard him confiscate a Fanged Frisbee from some fourth year. He didn't do it because it was against the rules; he did it because he always wanted one. It just irritated me is all."
"Was Lavender about when it happened?"
"O yes, giggling."
Harry laughed at her comment. "You expected less? You said it yourself: they're both irresponsible. Besides, I think she fancies him. I heard Parvati talking to Padma a few moments ago about it. If she does fancy him, I hope his table manners have improved. I'm sure he will disgust her as soon as she sees him eating otherwise."
"Ugh. Don't remind me."
Both teens sat at the table and began sorting out their breakfast. It didn't take long for McGonagall to finish speaking to Neville when McGonagall came their way.
"Good morning Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger. Now, I am going to assume you have not gotten your O.W.L.s yet. Is this correct?"
"Pretty much Professor." Harry answered.
"Very well, let's see here…" They waited while she went through the records in her hands. "Ah yes, Mr. Potter. Charms, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration all seem to be in order with passing marks well enough to continue. I was most pleased with your Transfiguration O.W.L. Mr. Potter. Very Pleased. With Professor Slughorn now teaching Potions you do have the option of continuing on with it. As you are aware Professor Snape would take no one with an Exceeds but as he has moved on to the post of Defense the way is open for you. Is it still your ambition to be an Auror Mr. Potter?"
"Possibly. It's still something I am interested in but I don't know if it will be something I will go with once out of school."
"Well, you might as well attempt N.E.W.T.s in the mean time until you decide one way or the other then Mr. Potter. There are many fine vocations that require most if not all of the same N.E.W.T.s should you seek a change at a later date. Ms. Granger you are cleared for all subjects. Which were you interested in taking?"
"Arithmancy, Runes, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Charms, Potions, and Transfiguration Professor." Hermione promptly stated.
"Very well." McGonagall tapped her wand on each of their parchments, setting their schedules. "Wait here for me to finish with our house, and we shall depart to Diagon Ally for your supplies."
Hermione waited until their Professor left before turning back to Harry. "You know you could easily get an exemption to get into Arithmancy and Runes if you wanted to Harry."
Harry smiled at her but shook his head. "Sorry love. They are interesting in their own way, but Spell Crafting is your interest, not mine."
"Oh very well, I still think you would do well if you gave it a go. Look how far you've come learning the basics for Ward reading."
"I can always continue self-studying for that Hermione," Harry stated while comparing their schedules. "We still have five classes together. I honestly have no idea how you are going to keep up with seven N.E.W.T. class loads."
"I'll manage Harry. When is our first class due to start?"
Harry took a few moments comparing their schedules. "Looks like we have Defense just before lunch. We should be well back for that joy. Not sure how I feel about greasy gits before meal time."
"Maybe it won't be so bad."
Harry snorted in response but continued. "I've still got my money on Nargles attacking him. They will too if I have anything to say about it." Hermione snorted at him but didn't comment. "Alright, So then lunch. After that you have Arithmancy while I have a free period then on to Potions. After Defense do you think you can set up the trunk somewhere so I can sift through our 'notes'?"
"You should take that time to do your homework for Defense Harry. You know he's going to assign some and N.E.W.T. work is really advanced. The bar does not so much curve as completely bend ninety degrees."
"It would be nice to have you copy from me for once." Harry joked to her earning an eye roll in the process.
When Professor McGonagall finished with all their housemates they took a trip to her Transfiguration Classroom and stepped through the Floo taking them to Diagon Alley. Harry greeted Tom the old barkeep warmly when they passed him moving into the Alley proper. Neither of the teens was prepared for how dead it was on the other side of the brick wall.
"Good lord Professor. It wasn't like this when we stayed here at the start of holidays." Harry stated as he looked from one closed up shop to another.
"Yes I am afraid with the current knowledge of You Know Who's return some people have decided to seek new horizons for their businesses."
The people they did see stayed in tight, huddled packs. Eyes shifting to anything that moved, heads bowed and shoulders slumped as if it would help them remain unnoticed by the unseen forces about them. No one talked, there was no joking, no haggling, and nothing remained of the feel of the place they had known these last few years. Fear seemed to steam from every surface of the place and choke what little life tried to flourish.
Hermione's next comment summed up his thoughts on the matter. "This is depressing."
McGonagall didn't reply, but strode purposefully with her head held high to the Apothecary for their first stopping stop. Harry did note several people they passed seemed to straighten up after observing her seemingly walking about her day completely unconcerned.
After getting a new cauldron each and a far more varied and extensive selection than they actually needed in potion ingredients they proceeded to Flourish and Blotts to acquire their course books. Harry chuckled when Hermione picked up a few extras. Professor McGonagall either did not see her add or had purposefully ignored Hermione's natural tendency to acquire every book she didn't own. Then it was off to Madam Malkins for their school clothes. The same theme greeted them with each business they entered. Few patrons, grateful shopkeepers who seemed relieved to see paying customers, and a nervousness and paranoia that seemed almost infectious. It was making the hair stand on the back of his neck. He could feel from his lover she was not unaffected by it and even McGonagall had started to dart her eyes about her with more frequency. Hermione had just talked Professor McGonagall into allowing them to pick up a few things at the Magical Menagerie on the basis that Hedwig would be upset if they didn't get her fresh owl treats when the three of them were stopped cold by the garish and incredibly eye catching building that sat almost across from Gringotts.
It was orange. That was the first impression that registered in his mind. Orange. What followed was the color purple. He felt his eyes water a bit as he stood there trying to take in the display case in the window full of shrieking, bubbling, and exploding items. As it all sunk in he couldn't help but start laughing. His laughter startled several people in a tight knot who had also stopped to look at the shop but Harry didn't pay them any mind. This was exactly the sort of building the Twins would own. It didn't so much as grab your attention as pick you up and slap you silly.
"Oh my…" He heard from their eloquent Head of House. Her comment finally brought Hermione from her daze at the sight before them getting her to laugh with him.
"We have to go in there. Please Professor?" Harry asked still trying to control his mirth.
Professor McGonagall seemed to think about it for a moment before she replied. "Well, as a Hogwarts Professor it would be unseemly to be seen in a store with such obvious rule breaking merchandise… but I suppose we can just have a quick gander so I can update the ban list…"
Both teens smiled widely while all three walked forward and entered the shop. Harry and Hermione's smile was not diminished on seeing the interior. If anything it was even more eye catching with all the various shelves of strange and familiar items everywhere. Professor McGonagall looked about before deciding which isle to start with.
"Welcome to Weasley Wizard Wheezes!" Both of them turned to the sight of one of the twins walking toward them from the counter.
"Harry!" Fred greeted him once he recognized him. "Unless George has finally found a way to send me over the deep, isn't this is a school day? I'm so proud you're skiving off school and to come to our shop too." Fred mimed wiping away a tear before he turned to Hermione. "And the lovely Ms. Granger as well. You know, you two have been all the talk amongst the Order this summer. You two are a bit of a tough act to follow you know."
Harry laughed at his antics. "You were bored anyway and you know it. We heard at the feast last night you got a blanket ban on all your stuff. Neat trick that."
"We're quite proud of that actually. Even Zonkos merchandise is allowed at Hogwarts, mostly. Course, as we all know well, if you want something to go the rounds at Hogwarts, ban it. So, we do a pretty steady business that way."
Hermione looked around taking in the few customers that were about. "I hope your mail order service is doing better. It looks like even your store is suffering from the wretchedness that seems to be hanging over the Alley."
"Have no fear my Lady, business is exceptionally well at the moment, but yes, most of it is through our Mail Order service. We've cautioned everyone that we can't guarantee delivery at Hogwarts, but we've managed to get quite a bit through. If you could have seen the crowds we had before term started you would have worries."
"You know what the deal is with the Alley? It was completely normal earlier this summer."
Fred nodded sadly. "Yeah, there have been a few disappearances and a couple of attacks in Muggle areas. You remember Igor Karkaroff? Found him dead in a shack somewhere not long ago with the Dark Mark hanging over it. There was a big attack against Minister Bones before she became Minister. Rumor has it that You Know Who was there himself. We think it's the lull that's eating at people. He's not done anything since that attack and people are running themselves ragged worried he is building to something big. Course that means Either Azkaban, Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, the Ministry, or here. There are only so many big targets. Talk amongst most in the alley is that he'll hit here. We know Hogwarts was fitted with some wicked wards and even has Auror patrols now so you can wager Dumbledore thinks he'll go for Hogwarts. Dad says people at the Ministry think he'll hit there so you sort of get the idea."
"Blind panic. I read he did the same thing last time." Hermione stated getting a resigned nod from Fred.
"Yeah not very original, our resident Dark Lord. He is effective though."
Suddenly, Harry found his hand being energetically shook by George, who just rounded the corner of one of the shelves. "Good to see you Harry. Had the tour yet?"
Harry shook his head which prompted George to lead the way showing them a wide variety of Wonder Witch products ranging from pimple vanisher, hair gels, love potions and their own Patient Day Dreams. Joke cauldrons, edible dark marks, an entire wall dedicated to various Skiving Snack Box items, and even Muggle Magic Tricks.
"The big earners though don't come from the front of the shop but from back here." Fred stated while holding open a black curtain. Inside was a more subdued room full of various items. They listened while Fred explained them all.
"Funny how we got into this. We had just finished putting up our shield hats…"
"Thought it was a laugh you know. Get your mates to jinx you and laugh when the spell bounces back." George cut in.
"…when this little ministry witch starts asking us all these questions. Right after Minister Bones got elected we got these massive orders. They bought over five hundred for their support staff and more is pouring in every day."
"It was stunning to realize there were so many wizards and witches who can't even do a decent shield charm. But, they didn't have you teaching them Harry."
Fred nodded to his brother's point. "It won't stop an Unforgiveable mind, but it will block at least one or two low to moderate jinxes and curses. So we came up with this whole line of defense products for your common man. Just on an off chance they might be interested we sent an updated list to the Ministers office and we've been crushed under the demand."
"Had to hire three people just to help with production. Those are Decoy Detonators. Handy when you need a distraction. We also have a whole range of shield items now. Hats, gloves, cloaks ect. Madam Malkin helps with those making those. Extendable Ears, Peruvian Darkness Powder, had to import that. Just about everything you can think of for making a quick escape, protecting yourself or doing something you shouldn't."
Harry looked around at all the items. He recognized quite a few of them from the market they stopped in when they hit the market in Peru. "No wonder you guys got a ban."
"Indeed."
Fred and George jumped at the completely unexpected arrival of their ex-Head of House. Both sported looks reminiscent of small children with their hands caught in the cookie jar.
"Professor! How… unexpected!" Fred stated when he recovered.
"I would imagine so Mr. Weasley." The stern Transfiguration Professor stated. She held them in the same disapproving glare she had when they had been caught in mischief before a slight smirk appeared on her face. "I am exceedingly happy to see you both are doing very well for yourselves. I must say it is good to finally see you two apply yourselves to something more productive than writing lines in my classroom."
While the twins gaped like goldfish out of water she turned her attention to her charges. "It is getting late. We should return."
Harry and Hermione nodded. "Can I have just a moment more? I wanted to ask them something before we head back." Harry pushed an apology to Hermione. "Privately if I could."
"Very well Mr. Potter. I shall be right outside when you have finished. Come along Ms. Granger."
He felt puzzlement from Hermione and sent reassurance. She nodded saying her goodbyes to the twins. Once Hermione and Professor McGonagall had left Harry turned to the Weasleys. "Two things, actually. One, do you know what the deal is with Ron and Ginny?"
The twins looked at each other for a few moments before they turned back to Harry. "Well, Mum and Dad had a row about you and Hermione running off. We weren't there but Ginny told us about it."
Fred nodded. "Honestly Harry, we don't know much but if it has anything to do with you and Hermione we want you to know it won't change our friendship."
George nodded while Harry sighed. "Thanks guys. Last thing before Professor McGonagall comes back in here, do you know of any way out of the castle that is not on the map? Maybe a way that the teachers even don't know?"
Fred gave Harry a shrewd look. "Can we ask why?"
"Nothing against you Harry but it's sort of the only way we have to get past the screens. Our business would suffer if it gets found."
Harry smiled reassuringly. "I've been trying to find a way for Hermione to see her parents on the weekends but I've not had any luck doing it magically. When we came through all the extra security it ruined all the plans I had made up to that point."
"Ah, trying to get in their good books then?"
"More like trying to get them to at the very least tolerate me. I don't think there is anything I can ever do to get in their good books after our last talk. If it helps, this would mean a lot to Hermione too. The run was hard on her; she's very close to her parents."
Again both twins looked to each other before answering. "Alright Harry. Talk to Abe."
"Who?"
"Crazy escaped mental patient looking bloke with a goat fetish that runs the Hogs Head, you remember him don't you? Saw him last year when you first started the D.A. There's a way to get to his bar through the Room of Requirement. Better yet, talk to Colin. Tell him you have a 'Peeves worthy idea'. He'll show you how to get into the tunnel."
"Creevy?"
Fred laughed at Harry's confusion. "Yeah, believe it or not, he's our man at Hogwarts. We give him a share of the profits for every order he mails us and he and his brother deliver them through the tunnel. It's a very good arrangement all said and both have proven to be able to keep it all on the quiet. We tested them on a few things last year before we did our own runner."
"Why not just send all your stuff that way?"
"If we did that they would know we got past the screens. This way they don't know better. It keeps the staff on their toes. Be a shame to let their wit falter without us there to keep them sharp."
"Alright then. So what does Abe get out of this?" Harry asked.
George smiled widely. "He gets to annoy Dumbledore."
XxXDaRXxX
Freshly changed into their school robes with their new books Harry and Hermione walked together to their first class of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry filled in on his plan on how she would get out of the castle during the week in by sharing his memories of the talk he had with the twins. In turn she shared with him several emotions and thoughts on how she was going to pay him back. The result was Harry was practically drooling by the time he realized he was taking his seat in the classroom itself. As he snapped out of his own thoughts about her planned thank you he noticed the naughty smirk on her face while she settled herself into the seat next to him.
All happy thoughts however died a sudden and violent death when Snape spoke. "When I want you to open your books I will tell you to do so."
Harry hadn't even bothered to take his book out yet having been caught up in Hermione's inventive imagination. He was one of few who hadn't. Snape waited drawing the moment out until every student had their eyes on him and every book that was out was closed. Harry listened to his start of class speech. Snape slowly and in low tones almost forcing people to concentrate harder on each word he spoke. Harry ignored his comments on prior teachers, as aside from Professor Lupin or Professor Moody his own opinion mirrored them. Snape walked around the classroom pointing to various disturbing paintings or pictures to illustrate his points on the multitude of Dark Arts that existed. Harry found himself nodding along to Snapes point that a person's defenses needed to be equally varied. The man was a self-centered pillock, but Harry could find no fault in anything he had said thus far. It was an eye opener for most in the class.
"I don't expect a tenth of you to achieve a N.E.W.T. in this class. There is a certain amount of concentration and mind-power needed to perform silent spell casting. Few can bring themselves to the task of mastering this art." Harry had to fight the smirk when he looked directly at him.
"Disarming jinxes and Shield Charms. We will now divide into pairs. Half will attempt to disarm your opponent. The other half will attempt to defend. This will happen in complete silence. Carry on."
Harry rose along with everyone else and moved into position while Snape paired them off. Ron was opposite him. His face was practically purple within a few moments and Harry could tell he had clenched his jaw. What he couldn't figure was if it was to stop himself from speaking or if he was as angry as Harry thought he was. Minutes passed with nothing coming from him but he kept himself ready hoping Ron would do it.
Hermione had ended up paired with Neville, but unlike Ron, he couldn't stop himself from muttering the incantation under his breath. Hermione looked bored while she effortlessly reflected each one with the standard Protego. He could hear her giving him advice off and on while he waited on Ron to cast something. Most of the class was struggling with doing it silently. Whether intentional or not, a great amount of cheating was happening. He allowed himself to be distracted wondering since Snape wasn't correcting anyone or offering any advice on how to do it properly if he should.
"Pathetic Weasley. This is the correct method." Harry snapped his attention back to his own project noticing Snape standing to the side of him. His draw was so fast Harry reacted on pure instinct.
Snape's jinx flew at him faster than his draw. He felt a spike of anger from Hermione at the attack, but he ignored it. Harry wandlessly summoned a dueler's shield charm on his left arm giving the jinx a backhanded swing. The result was a flash of spellfire as he batted it away while he simultaneously set his own wand on Snape. He felt Hermione's wince when the jinx rebounded with even greater speed directly into Ron felling him as if someone had clubbed him across the face. Harry couldn't spare any thought for Ron's fate, keeping his own wand rock steady on Snape and holding himself back from counter attacking as every instinct within him was screaming for him to do so.
Snape for his part only raised an eyebrow at the incident. "Lower your wand Potter. I do believe I told you to defend only."
Harry didn't move his arm an inch but kept assessing Snape looking for any evidence from his body posture that would signal a second attack. The entire class watched as he kept his wand on their Professor until he felt reassurance from Hermione that she was with him. Only then did he slowly and reluctantly lower his wand.
"My instructions were to use the Shield Charm Mr. Potter. Was there something in that statement you did not understand?"
Harry kept his eyes steady on Snape. "The Duelers Shield worked better in that situation…sir."
"Yes. As evidenced by the fact Mr. Weasley is unconscious on my floor."
Harry took a calming breath to keep himself from retaliating. He could feel Hermione fueling him with her love which helped him a great deal. It was everything she could give him to prevent him from aggravating this situation any further. In a combat situation his ally wouldn't be standing there bare arsed in the breeze so there was absolutely nothing wrong with his defense. At least, he would hope his ally wouldn't be doing that or it would be a short fight. Despite what he wanted to say or do at this moment he silently nodded once to the hated man before him grudgingly accepting the rebuke.
"Now, that Mr. Potter has finished with yet another example of his poor choices, let us resume our activities…"
The rest of the class passed quickly after Snape enervated Ron and changed up the line. By the end of class only Harry or Hermione could cast either spell silently. Any decent professor would have awarded points, but instead they all received extensive and complicated homework on the fundamental breakdowns of both spells and how silent spell casting affected them. Except for Harry, who received an extra essay on the pros and cons of different defenses when there were innocent bystanders present.
As they sat down to lunch Harry tried to purge his anger over the situation. Hermione helped by rubbing his back with on hand. "I love you Harry but you had to have known something like this was going to happen after our stunt yesterday."
"I know. This does not help with Ron though."
He was surprised when Hermione chuckled.
He turned to look at his lover in surprise. "Oh come on, Harry. He's been ignoring us since we came back. However I doubt he was able to ignore that jinx to his face. Maybe next time he'll be a better friend, or dodge at least. I'm sorry he got hurt but it feels like justice to me."
Author's Notes
Okay, Chapter Twenty revision is done. For those of you interested in the story instead of my drivel, by all means leave a review telling me what you think of this chapter, and then hit that 'Next' button. Enjoy the read. As always thank you to all reviews and readers. You are noticed and appreciated.
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