WTF Annabeth?

Chapter 11

Harry

"I can't help but notice you spend a lot of time with Miss Grainger, but I am also aware the other first year girls, both in Gryffindor and the other houses, seem quite smitten with you Harry." Dumbldore said as our meeting started.

The Professor had caught me up on the magic war and my parents, as well as the various members of something called "The Order of the Phoenix" that he thought was important to my life. We had went over the Potter family's long relationship with Hogwarts, Quidditch and its significance to magic and a myriad of other things designed to help me fit in during our meetings over the last few weeks.

We had also talked about Camp Half Blood and he sought my help in assisting Percy and especially Annabeth in fitting in. Hardly a day went by without Annabeth committing some social faux pas in the world of magic, more often than not involving weapons and/or violence, or threats thereof, but only against people that seemed to deserve it. Still he praised my friends and pointed out what otherwise excellent students they were, which was apparently quite surprising to him.

We talked a lot about the SPEW training as well, and it was clear he not only supported it, but the only reason he wasn't leading the training instead of McGonagall was that the ministry kept him both busy and under a watchful eye.

"Oh, Hermione, she's great, truly. A bit flirtatious and even possessive, but we're not, I mean, she's very bright and pretty, but... well you know about Annabeth and the curse right?"

"Indeed. I suspect it may be the most dangerous magic I have ever heard of."

"Well I'm eleven, and it taught me I don't want a girlfriend right now, I want, well, to, be friends with all of them. We're really coming together as a team, like when Athena, Hephaestus and Hermes' houses formed an alliance at camp, it just clicked. I think if I were, uh, dating one of the girls it would have a bad effect on that."

"Very wise, and I concur, however you will need a date for the Halloween Feast will you not?"

"Yes, I guess, and I had an idea but I would need your approval."

"What is it?" Dumbledore asked.

"Well first, there is another thing, what do you know about Ron and his family?"

"What do you mean? His mother is as talented a witch as was ever born, and his father may be the most honest and hard working man in the ministry. All of their children are unique, adorable and smart. Except George and Fred, who are adorable and smart. Honestly of all of the Weasley children I have met, your friend Ron has the most potential, if he can develop the confidence to assert himself. I won't talk about a student to another student beyond that."

"Oh sure I don't want to talk about anything confidential or anything, but Ron, well he is great. More than anyone else he has helped us fit in and is a strong and loyal friend, You get to recognize that in people fast at Half Blood, what with the sword fighting and combat games. The thing is, I know they don't have a lot of money and do have a lot of pride. None would accept charity, but Ron, well to have the confidence he needs, he needs a few material things, I considered just offering to spot him the money but"

"But as you said, he would never accept charity."

"No, so I, well Annabeth, Percy and I, we came up with an idea, but we would need your help."

"What does this idea involve?"

And then I told him. Basically he and I would need to go to Diagon Alley by flue. I pointed out that I had tried the flues in our quarters, as well as asking the room of requirement for a flue that would work, but none of them worked at all. He told me that part of the magical protection of Hogwarts was that none of the flues were on the flue network, save one, that one being in his office. I told him the rest of our plan though and he was intrigued.

"What you propose would be expensive and we would have to ensure secrecy, but Ronald would probably just think his parents did it. Lets try, shall we? When would you like to go?"

"Right now works for me, I have my Lotus Card, so expense isn't a problem."

"Very well, but first tell my your proposed solution to your date situation for the feast."

That took longer to approve than the fast run to Diagon Alley.