Chapter four

Amelia Bones had been surprised by the snowy owl that flew into her office. Owls normally didn't deliver mail to offices. all mail usually goes to one room where it's sorted by department before being sent on. It seems whoever sent this owl made sure it came straight to her.

She recognised her niece's writing, so she read her letter first. She was surprised that her niece was friendly with Harry Potter. But then she was shocked by what Susan had told her about the boy's home life.

She decided to deal with that soon and read Harry Potter's letter, 'I never truly believe Sirius Black would betray James Potter. I need to go through his trial transcripts and find out what happened. First I need to get the information about James and Lily Potter,' Amelia gave the owl a pat, wrote a quick note then handed it to the owl who seemed to be expecting an answer, 'Take that back to Harry Potter.'

When the owl flew away Amelia headed upstairs to another department, one that dealt with magical births, orphans, deaths, and wills. It was time to read what James and Lily had written about their son's upbringing in the event of their death. Amelia had been good friends with Lily during their Hogwarts days even though Amelia was older. Both girls spent a lot of time in the library and became close. Amelia later became friends with James when he married Lily, they ended up very close.

Later that afternoon Hedwig flew into Hufflepuff dorm rooms, she dropped the letter on her master's bed before flying to the owlery. Harry was still up in the library with Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott, studying.

'I did want to apologise Harry, about what I said in our second year. Hearing snake language reminded me of my family.'

'It's fine Susan, there aren't a lot of us that know how it feels to lose parents and you lost more. I probably would have said something if I heard it. I have no idea why I can talk to snakes, and from what I found out the Potter's are in no way related to Slytherin. I decided to check when I found out I was a parselmouth.'

'Did you ask Dumbledore?' Hannah asked.

'He said Voldemort transferred some of himself into me the night he tried to kill me. I mean he did use the killing curse and I survived, no one has ever studied what could happen if someone lived. So that could be the reason since it's normally passed down through the family.'

'And your mother was a muggleborn,' Susan said.

'Yeah, she was. The thing is, I actually like snakes. I was made to do the gardening at the Dursley's and a few times I saw snakes. I never realised when I spoke to them that I was talking in another language.'

'It's getting close to lunch, we should take our stuff back to our rooms,' Hannah said.

'Yeah, my eyes won't stay focused.'

'You might need new glasses,' Susan said as she packed up her books.

'I've never had them checked, the school nurse gave them to me when she realise I couldn't see. She sent a note home to my aunt, but she ignored it when told I needed glasses.'

'Why don't you make yourself an appointment, you said you have money?' Hannah asked as they began to walk back to their house.

'I've never been able to, the Dursley's won't allow me out. When Dumbledore lets me leave I'm usually taken straight to the Burrow. When we shop for our Hogwarts stuff, we're rushed because the Weasley's are always running late, for everything.'

'Then speak with Professor Sprout, I'm sure she will work on escorting you during our Hogsmeade weekend. She might even work it for a school day since you need to be able to see properly Harry.'

'I wouldn't mind getting muggle laser surgery done. I heard it on the Dursley's television and thought it would be great. If I'm too young for that then muggle contact lenses would be good, then I wouldn't need glasses anymore.'

'Then speak with Professor Sprout, she might be able to help so you could have that done during one of the holidays,' Hannah said.

'Yeah, I will, thanks. But I have to say, it's the first time I was actually able to do my work,' Harry smiled then rushed up to his room.

'Do you like Harry, Susan?'

'Yes, but I doubt he would look at me. There are so many pretty girls here that like Harry.'

'They like him because he's the-boy-who-lived, you like him because he's a cute boy.'

'Yes, he is cute. Don't you think the colour of my hair would put him off? Not a lot of boys like red hair.'

'Susan, his mother had dark red hair, very similar to yours. James Potter must have liked red heads, maybe Harry will too.'

'Maybe, but don't tell him, you know what boys are like at that age. I'm happy to be his friend, then maybe after he gets to know me he might like me more than a friend. Shhhh, he's coming,' Susan said in a rush.

Harry smiled at the two girls, 'I got a reply from your aunt, she wants to meet us in Hogsmeade.'

'Did she say if she could help…with your problem?'

'She never wrote anything like that, just that she wants to meet us in a private room at the Three Broomsticks at one o'clock. I suppose she must be curious though. Um, Hannah, we might explain after, but sorry, this is a legal issue that has to be kept quiet, at least for now.'

'It's fine, everyone needs their secrets. I like secrets, so tell me when you can.'

Susan and Harry laughed then the three new friends walked to the great hall. Harry got a few snarky comments, traitor was the main one. Harry just glared at the Gryffindor's then said he wanted to be with people who were loyal and not backstabbing bastards, that seemed to shut them up. He sat next to Susan, he had overheard what the girls had been talking about and if he was honest, he thought Susan was very pretty and he did like her hair. Sirius did say Potter men had a thing for red heads.

'I know we have to meet your aunt, but I was sort of…um hoping you might want to go with me, you know, like a date,' Harry blushed but he couldn't believe he actually asked a girl out on a date.

'Oh, yes, I would like that Harry,' Susan blushed brightly, Hannah rolled her eyes before she began eating.

Over the next few weeks the comments like traitor eased off but Harry kept getting some looks from the Gryffindor's. But he always made sure to say something about how friends are supposed to be loyal something the Gryffindor's aren't. He didn't really care, he found his place in with the Hufflepuff's.

Harry was sitting in the common room on the first Hogsmeade weekend, waiting for his date. That thought still made Harry smile. They had spent some time together just the two of them, but so far all they did was talk. He hoped that maybe today he could get up the courage to kiss her then ask her to be his girlfriend.

'Hi.'

Harry stood, 'Hi, are you ready to go?'

'Yes.'

Harry took a deep breath then gently took Susan's hand, 'Let's go have some fun before we meet your aunt.'

'Okay,' Susan blushed again but she liked that Harry held her hand.

As they walked out of the castle they heard a few comments about them holding hands. Susan noticed that Ginny Weasley looked upset.

'Um Harry, did you date Ginny?'

'No, I do know she likes me, but she never interested me. She's a bit too…um, well, she likes attention and has her mother's temper. I hate it when Mrs Weasley goes off, I also hate the way she tries to act like my mother,' Harry shuddered, 'Ginny is too much like her, plus, I know she's one of those fangirls, she wants the-boy-who-lived, then add the fact she eats like Ron.'

'She will never keep a boy interested if she does that, it's disgusting.'

'Yeah, it is,' Harry gave Susan a smile, 'Is Hannah visiting the village?'

'Yes, she's going with Justin and some other friends.'

'Does she like Justin?'

'Actually,' Susan looked around then lowered her voice, 'She likes Neville Longbottom.'

'Then if she wants to see him she will have to say something, Neville's too shy to say anything. He's one I don't have anything against.'

'He is shy, but Hannah is when it comes to this. Normally she doesn't care what she talks about.'

'She takes me as someone that will say what she thinks and feels. I like her though, she's nice.'

'She is and a great friend. So where should we go first?'

'Well, we have to get some Honeydukes chocolate, I also want to visit Zonko's, I might use them on the Gryffindork's.'

Susan giggled, 'Use them on Ron and Ginny.'

'You're on, come on,' Harry pulled Susan with him until they reached the joke shop.

Over the next couple of hours Harry and Susan had a great time. Harry bought chocolate for both of them even some for others, like Hannah and Neville. Both were giving each other sly looks knowing they were going to get two of their friends together. Harry bought a big range of Zonko's products then went to have a drink in the Three Broomsticks. They knew they were meeting Amelia Bones at one, so they thought they could have lunch at the same time. They had twenty minutes before their meeting so for now they just enjoyed a Butterbeer and each other's company.

'So, we've had a good time so far, don't you think?'

'Yes, we have, I've enjoyed myself,' Susan blushed again.

'Well, I was wondering if…um, maybe, um, willyoubemygirlfriend?' Harry blushed brightly but so did Susan.

'Yes,' she squeaked making her blush again.

Harry smiled then gave her a small kiss on the lips making them both blush. Neither of them noticed they were being watched, by Ginny, Hermione, Ron and many other Gryffindor's.