(a/n): Appreciate the reviews as always.

Deputy Headmistress has to be more than just a title. Overruling a punishment would be one (probably rarely used) power. But in the face of overwhelming evidence. And Dumbledore somehow believes that it's Harry's responsibility to 'mend the problem' between himself and Snape. Harry walked into Hogwarts clueless. Maybe James did bully Snape, but maybe Snape did something even earlier. JKR doesn't say, and Harry shouldn't be held responsible for those events anyway. Perhaps, post 10/31/81, Snape imagined comforting a grieving Lily on the deaths of her son and husband. Then marrying her. Not especially rational, but seems probable. What bothers him the most is Harry was intimidated. But, after Azkaban, Harry won't take it.

The memory came from a couple of questions. What finally pushed young Severus into Voldemort's camp? Why would a Purebloodist like Lucius make a Halfblood Draco's Godfather? So it connects the two. BJH I have to admit until I read your review I didn't realize the similarity. I think punish the innocent has been Dumbledore's theme, all the way back to Tom. He might have come out better if he'd spent some time scrubbing the toilets.

Why is this next chapter named mercy? Especially since the word only actually appears the one time. It's asked for. Negotiated for. Referred to. Actually demanded. And one character suddenly wondering if it's needed.

10 – Mercy

Lord Voldemort was less than pleased with what his spies were telling him. True, Potter seemed to have distanced himself from the Old Man. But the victimized boy hero had won popular support in the Wizengamot. And, though he thought it unimportant, among the common people. He turned from the window of his throne room, formerly Lucius Malfoy's master bedroom and said "Report, Severus."

"My Lord" the Potion Professor replied "the brat is worse than ever. Acting like he owns the place. Defying his superiors."

Voldemort cut in, coldly amused "You mean yourself, of course. As he done anything potentially threatening?"

"All he does is complain about the unfairness of his life." Snape answered "As if the worst thing is to be in Azkaban."

Voldemort smiled "My friends, the Dementors, can be difficult to be around. That the boy is still sane is somewhat impressive. I am told Bella's mind has broken."

"If I might be so bold, Master" Snape offered "Bella has been imprisoned for twelve years. Potter just a few months. I do not think they compare."

The Dark Lord's lip curled, which his minions recognized as a look of displeasure. He drew his wand and smoothly pointed it at the bowed Snape and yelled "CRUCIO!" and while he suffered ordered "Severus, your main effort will be learn about Potter's stay in Azkaban. What weaknesses does he have now? I recall young Draco is in the same year. He should be useful in gathering intelligence."

"Yes My Lord." Replied Snape. The Dark Lord had given an order. The fact that the two boys were mortal enemies didn't matter.

x x x x x

Amelia Bones welcomed Fred and George Weasley in casually enough. Which, only heightened the young men's nervousness. Nor, did their parents' presence do any good.

"Morning Madam Bones…"

"…ma'am what can we do for you?"

"Well, your business has not broken any laws, yet, as such." She said with a touch of menace.

Arthur broke in "If I may-"

"No, sir, you may not." She cut him off with a glance "Tell me, gentlemen, have you been following the news? Specifically related to Harry Potter?"

They looked at each other, nodded and said "Oh yes…"

"…even had a sale to celebrate."

She raised an eyebrow "So you believed that he was innocent?"

"It was Susan who proved him innocent." George pointed out.

Amelia held up a hand, which silenced Fred "That wasn't the question I asked. Please don't dissemble, it would only annoy me."

"Harry might stick his nose…"

"…where it doesn't belong."

"Get our brother into trouble…"

"…but he gets him out, too."

They both shook their heads "But, a murderer?" Said Fred "Never."

"Do I believe you?" Amelia wondered "Yes I think I do. I can assume you are aware of the source of funding for your store?"

Arthur raised his hand, looked nervously at his wife and said "Umm… Amelia… it didn't exactly… err … that is to say."

"Dad pranked Mum!" exclaimed Fred. George fell out of his chair laughing.

Amelia allowed it for about a minute then ordered "Back in your chair, Mr. Weasley! 2500 Galleons is no laughing matter."

"That was my decision." Said Arthur "You shouldn't punish the boys for that."

Amelia countered "Your boys are adults, fully responsible for their actions. House Potter has a right to demand an accounting for how those funds have been used."

"We hired our … cousin, isn't it, Mum … he can account for every Knut." George replied "Us, we're all the invention in the company. We both signed a letter, divides WWW 2/3 to us; 1/3 to Harry. It's kept in our vault at Gringotts."

Behind her bland expression, Amelia was actually pleased. They were being fair. But, she wasn't ready to let them off the hook "So Harry supplies all the funding, assumes all the risk, for only 1/3 of the profits?"

"We invent everything…"

"… actually work in the store."

"Could we, perhaps…"

"…discuss this with Harry?"

Amelia's eyes hardened "Harry is not the Head of House Potter." She said "Until he comes of age, I am. Any business dealings, you discuss with me. Clear?"

They both gulped and said "Yes, ma'am."

"Get your financial statements, and I will review them" she said "Tell me, how likely are you to expand?"

The twins put their heads together and whispered. George answered "Just now, we're filling up what we have. Maybe in a year or two."

"You should know the location you occupy used to be owned by a company owned by House Diggory." She said "It is now owned by House Potter. If you plan to expand in Hogsmeade, the property on Gryffindor Ln. is owned by the Malfoys. However, House Bones owns the property on Hogwarts St. If you plan on Diagon Alley, both Bones and Potter own buildings there. I expect you will consult with me first."

"So then…" they wanted to know

"… you're not wanting us to repay the money."

Amelia shook her head and replied "That would be stupid. Although, I might have, had I believed you were lying about your belief in Harry. I expect you will overtake Zonko's in a few years. About the ownership breakdown, I'll want to see the financials before I agree."

x x x x x

"Ginny, hi." Said Harry "It's a wonderful Saturday." He watched her walk down the stairs to the Gryffindor Girls' Dorm.

She grinned at him. "Nice to see you on your feet."

"Good riddance to that stupid chair." He said "I am not sitting down all weekend."

She laughed and quipped "Then I look forward to watching you fall asleep. What'cha got there?"

"Susan's pensieve" he answered "Not a big, fancy one like Dumbledore's. Only one memory here."

Ginny knew about pensieves. Her father told her that there used to be a Weasley Family one, but it had been sold long before he was born to get the family out of debt. These mini ones were less expensive, but they really only had limited use. In fact, they were mainly used by the DLME. That the Hufflepuff girl allowed him such a personal item said a lot that disappointed Ginny. All she could summon up was an "Oh."

"She thinks I should show everyone the memory" explained Harry "but it's embarrassing."

Ginny asked "It's your memory in there?"

"Uh-huh" he replied "wanna see?"

Curiosity flooded her, but she shook her head "Err… I don't think so … I don't want to-"

"Please, Ginny" he requested "only you and Ron, beside her, believed in me. So I trust you'll give me an honest answer."

She blushed, and repressed the desire to curse him for having that effect on her "I don't know, Harry" she said "Memories are personal."

"It's important, please" he insisted "Susan thinks I should show it around. But I really don't get why." And barely giving her half a chance to think, he pushed her in.

Minutes later, tossed back out onto the Gryffindor Common Room floor, Ginny yelled "That rat-bastard!"

"That's about what Susan said." Harry offered as he helped her up. "Sorry about pushing you like that."

Ginny ranted and stomped around for a few minutes. A pair of First Years yelped in terror and fled, making her aware of her surroundings. She buried her face in her hands and groaned "Oh Merlin! McGonagall's gonna have my head!"

"Well if you're planning to die, at least have a good breakfast." Harry quipped. Azkaban had made everything else less scary.

She looked shocked for an instant, then said "By all means, walk me down?"

"Of course," he quipped, and offered an elbow for her to take "So do you love Snivellus?"

Ginny made a disgusted face and snorted "Yeah, right! But, now … boy learned something… never knew where Bill learned the Bat-Bogey hex. We're going to have words. Anyway, yeah, Susan's right- anyone that would do that to a baby … grrr!"

"Guess I will then." Harry decided as they headed off to the Great Hall.

x x x x x

Hannah Abbott tapped her friend on the shoulder and asked "You sure you don't have competition?"

"Harry and I haven't even dated yet." Susan countered. But she felt a pang as her eyes found Harry and Ginny walking in together. Jeal – she refused to mentally finish the word - spiked when she saw her squeeze his arm. Then they parted, her toward the Gryffindor Table, Colin …uhh… Ceffy? Was it?, and him this way.

Then, he was looking down at her, asking "Got room for me?"

"No, Potter, we don't." a hostile Justin Finch-Fletchley answered. There had been more than ample room between him and Susan, however as he spoke he spread his legs drastically reducing the space. As far as he was concerned, Harry was just as guilty for the insults he suffered as the Weasleys who made them. "Now bugger off!"

Susan glared at him, but Harry held out a hand and asked "Remember Lockhart? Second Year? Serpensortia? Plenty of room by the Firsties."

The large Hufflepuff stood and loomed over him.

"Why thank you, Justin." Harry said, carelessly. He sat next to Susan and ignored him. Especially when she kissed him. Vastly pleased, he asked "What was that for?"

She replied with a sappy grin and "A few things, but not starting a fight. I think you scared him." She flashed a 'told you so' look at Hannah.

"Oops." He said. Picking up the knife and fork in front of him, he cut into the slab of ham that appeared and took a bite. "And you were right. Ginny saw it, thinks it's a good idea, too."

x x x x x

Amos Diggory was getting irritated. Him, and his wife, and their little girls, had been kept sitting there for the last thirty-two minutes. The fact that they showed up some twenty-five minutes early did not enter into his calculations. And that was the fourth time he'd heard laughing from behind the door. Impatiently, he asked "She does know we're here?"

"Yes, Amos" replied Julie. She was strongly sympathetic to the man who'd lost his only son. But he was beginning to get on her nerves.

Jessica Diggory (nee Edgecomb) was bouncing both of their daughters in her lap. She was seriously contemplating some kind of separation from her husband. He had dug himself a deep hole and dragged her in with him. "Amos!" she demanded "Get over here and take one!"

"Yes dear" he replied in a henpecked voice. He turned back to the secretary and said "You'd think there would be something to drink."

That did it! But Julie turned on the sweet voice "So sorry, a bit of remodeling going on. You'd have to go to the atrium."

Amos glared at the closed door with Amelia's name on it as yet another bit of laughter was heard. His Ministry salary was just barely paying the rent and food. They'd only been allowed a couple sets of robes each and all the baby clothes when they were expelled from 'their' home by Potter. They borrowed money from his wife's family to buy second hand furniture.

Finally, the door opened "- Arthur, Molly I hope to hear from you soon." Amelia was saying. Then, more sternly, to Fred and George "And I expect those documents so I can make a proper decision."

"Friendly with them!" Amos said in a resentful undertone.

Molly didn't even notice. She immediately cooed over the babies "They're just adorable! You need anything, dear, anything at all, you just let me know. Our baby things are well used, but sturdy."

"Weasley." Amos said, coldly, to Arthur.

A long term friend and colleague addressing him like that stung. But he refused to let it show and replied "Diggory. Molly, boys, come along."

"This is not Ministry business." Said Amelia as soon as they were settled "A word of caution, though. After your display in front of the Wizengamot, I am faster than both of you. You do not want to leave orphans."

Mrs. Diggory, slowly, and with her fist covering her wand tip, placed it on Amelia's desk.

"Thank you" Amelia said, acknowledging the gesture. When Amos sat coldly unresponsive, she added "Just so you understand. I am representing Potter interests. To that extent, we are enemies."

He glared at her angrily and said "You made that abundantly clear at the Wizengamot last week, Amelia."

"Address me as Regent Potter!" she snapped "And don't blame your situation on me. I doubt Harry would have been quite so vindictive if you had just left well enough alone. But nooooo, you had to go kill his Familiar right in front of him. And torment him in Azkaban."

Amos gave a contemptuous snort, despite a warning look from Jessica, and said "You should've taught that brat of yours her place!"

"I taught Susan the difference between right and wrong." Amelia countered coldly "And what happened to Harry was dead wrong. But, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't even have you here now."

This time, Jessica overrode her husband, she asked "And exactly are we doing here, Regent? What more could be done to us?"

"Truthfully, quite a bit." Answered Amelia "Amos bribed Aurors. That's a serious offense. Multiple assaults on Harry Potter. There's a good chance I could make an attempted murder charge stick. Perhaps Amos would like Harry's old cell?"

Amos was half out of his chair, but Jessica stopped him by plopping both babies in his lap "Right, Regent" she said "You have never been a woman to kick someone when they're down. So, just what is being offered? And what is needed from us?"

"You should listen to your wife more." Amelia said with a cold stare "House Potter is prepared to back Amos not being charged. In exchange you will identify every Auror that was paid a bribe. As you can imagine, my position here will smooth that along. Further, and you have Susan to thank for this - remember that the next time you refer to her as a brat, Amos - House Potter is prepared to fully fund Stacey's and Melissa's Hogwarts education. Or, an equal Muggle one, if either or both should turn out to be Squibs."

Amos frowned, "Least the little snot could do."

"Cut it!" ordered Jessica. Then she addressed Amelia "That would be most appreciated. It has been our number one concern lately. What are your terms?"

Amelia was rather pleased discussing this with her. Amos was barely semi-sane in her opinion "I have a general outline in mind" she said "One would be, if you end up arranging marriages, House Potter has the right to veto it if it is against Potter interests. Also, an Unbreakable Oath to never threaten Harry, or any of his family, would be in order. That from both of you, now, and your daughters when they are old enough. Harry might have other conditions in mind."

"You're taking orders from a child?" Amos snorted.

Amelia shrugged "It is Potter money. While I will have to sign off on the deal, Harry will have to live with it long into his majority. So, do we have a framework for negotiation? Or aren't you interested?"

"I can't believe you're so heartless!" Amos protested "You could help us, yourself!"

Flatly, bluntly, she replied "Not an option. I refuse to involve the Bones Family in this affair. As for heartless? Consider that you still owe House Potter over fifty million Galleons. Susan mentioned that Harry could force a marriage as payment. And that still isn't the worst scenario for your daughters."

"YES!" Jessica shouted, fear tensing her body "We can discuss the matter!"

For the first time since the meeting began, Amelia smiled and exclaimed "Excellent! Now, allowing for school schedules it may be a week or so. I shall have our full terms by Sunday next."

"We do have a few backup plans." Jessica commented "There's the scholarship, for instance."

Amelia was unaware of such a thing. But, she had hardly gone through a tenth of what House Potter had its hands in. She recognized a negotiating tactic when she heard one and countered "And you don't think the Potter Regent has an influence there? Diggory, Jess, a pleasant day to you both."

x x x x x

Word spread quickly about the memory. In a week, over a hundred students had used Susan's mini-pensieve to see Professor Snape throw infant Harry into a busy intersection. No one allowed a teacher to see them with it. But word that something was being passed around did get to the staff. A First Year Gryffindor passing it to a Yearmate in Ravenclaw in a corridor finally led to its confiscation by Slytherin Prefect Draco Malfoy.

"Mudbloods shouldn't have such valuable magical items. Two days detention each. Now beat it!" He sneered at them. Draco then had to sit through McGonagall's Transfiguration class before getting to see it. History of Magic was easy to skip. He came out of the pensieve cackling madly. Then ran off to his Head of House. The blond boy's only regret was being unable to figure out how to report this without giving up the pensieve itself.

x x x x x

At almost the same time, in an entirely different corridor. Harry was making a new enemy. It started out pleasantly enough.

"I wanted to apologize to you, Harry." Cho Chang said "You know, for thinking the worst of you."

To which, Harry shrugged "You weren't alone. And you had more reason than most."

"I was hoping you'd want to talk to me." She said in a suggestive tone.

Last year Harry would've loved to be this close to the pretty Chinese girl. Though he probably would've drooled all over himself, and babbled like an idiot. But, now, he felt like she was invading his space. He took a step back and asked "About, what?"

"This and that." Her voice became sultry. She encircled his shoulders, got on her toes and kissed his chin.

Something that was bothering him suddenly clicked. He yanked her arms away and accused "You and your friends attacked Ginny Weasley on the train."

"Stupid little redhead." Cho said dismissively, and closed in again.

Harry blocked her, none too gently and said "I happen to like redheads. Sue's one. And so was my Mum. If you're just gonna insult Ginny, then shove off."

"Fine then." She said, her face taking on a nasty expression "We can do it that way. I want to know exactly what happened that night."

He suddenly really did not like her. An illusion of Amos Diggory appeared before his eyes and blended with Cho's features. Sickened, he said "Read about it in the papers."

"I'm a Prefect, Potter!" she snarled "You'll answer me or do detention with Flitwick."

"Apologize to Ginny and I'll think about it." Harry countered

Cho spat "Forget it! And that's a week of detention!"

"Don't even think about going for your wand." He said. And he just stood there, facing her, silently, in a defensive posture. The one he'd used more than once against Aurors in Azkaban. It did not work for long, especially after he was starved. But he was healthy and normal weight again, and Cho Chang was no Auror. That was just when the classes all started to empty into the corridor.

x x x x x

Madam Bones was rubbing her eyes when her assistant entered her office. "I could use a little excitement." She complained.

"Director, I have learned to be careful of wishing for things." Julie replied "You often get what you wish for, but not quite like you plan."

She smirked at her assistant, and retorted "About anything short of Voldemort himself knocking on my door wouldn't break this grind."

"How about Professor Dumbledore's phoenix with a note requesting your presence at Hogwarts?" asked Julie, after the obligatory flinch at the Dark Lord's name. "He just appeared on my desk."

Madam Bones grabbed her outer robe and replied "I guess that works. Anything urgent, contact Kingsley."

"Sorry to call you away so dramatically, Amelia." The Headmaster said.

She shrugged and said "I usually don't mind being called out of the office. Obviously, no one is injured so it cannot be too serious." She smiled at her two charges. Susan was seated next to Professor Sprout and Harry was standing behind her with a hand on her shoulder. Amelia found that interesting.

"There is a matter of slander." said Dumbledore "It has come to our attention that Mr. Potter and Miss Bones have been spreading stories about Professor Snape. That, Amelia, is not acceptable."

The Potion Master said "I demand their expulsion. Both of them."

"Well, what have they to say?" asked Amelia.

"Uncooperative brats." Snape sneered.

Amelia glared at him "Do you often engage in name calling, Professor? I do not find that acceptable, either. Perhaps they are only acting as you taught them."

Harry leaned over and whispered in Susan's ear, eliciting a giggle. "By uncooperative, Auntie" she said "Snape means that as soon as he said the word expulsion, we insisted on your presence."

"She told me to shut up." Harry offered, not at all angrily.

Dumbledore said "Perhaps we can continue, now."

"One thing first, Albus" asked Amelia "Professor Sprout, Professor McGonagall … have either Susan, or Harry, been reported engaging in name calling regarding yourselves?"

Both witches replied "No."

"Potter has taken to using the same insulting reference to me his father invented." Snape ground out, accusingly.

Harry countered "That's a lie!"

"Harry, proper respect please." Said Dumbledore.

Feeling lost, Amelia asked "What exactly are we talking about? And, kindly explain, given what we all know of Harry's circumstances, how he could know something his father said."

"It is obvious to me." Said Snape "He learned it either from the werewolf Lupin, who was part of Potter's gang. Or, even more likely from the convict YOU let escape from Azkaban."

Susan felt Harry's hand clench on her shoulder, somewhat painfully, then release it. She grabbed him, sensing some secret just got out. He subsided without saying a word.

"Has anybody asked Harry exactly where and how he learned this word?" Amelia inquired.

Harry took malicious pleasure in answering "Well, the word is Snivellus. And it came from a real memory. When I was in Azkaban-"

"Spare us your sob story, Potter." Snape interrupted.

He glared at him and said "You got your say. Anyway, constant Dementor visits, I guess they uncovered all of my memories. Like the first time was on the train Third Year. I could hear a woman screaming my name. It turned out it was my Mum the night Voldemort-"

"Don't use his name." Snape warned.

Harry laughed and said "Coward! But then you like attacking babies!"

"How dare you!" Snape roared and went for his wand.

Madam Bones flipped herself, landing between students and professor "Expelliarmus!" she shouted. The full strength version of the spell sent Snape crashing against Dumbledore's large pensieve. She summoned his wand and pocketed it. "Finish your story, Harry."

"Right" he acknowledged "it's kind of a long memory. But Snape snatched me, as a baby, out of my carriage and threw me into some street. Sue said it was some part of Hogsmeade, I couldn't tell. My Dad apparated there and caught me. Mum warned Snape never touch me and that's when she called him Snivellus."

Susan put in "He won't admit it, but I think they were friends…once. Even, maybe, more."

"Don't say that!" Harry shuddered.

McGonagall looked decidedly displeased "Regardless of any of that, Mr. Potter, I do recall instructing you to not repeat that word. Why is it now all over the school?"

"Oh that was more my idea, Professor." Susan answered.

Sprout's jaw dropped "Miss Bones?"

"We saw that in the pensieve you loaned to me, Auntie." She explained "Then, I figured we should show it around. I guess …hmmm… that means he probably has it."

Snape pulled himself up, pulled it from his robes and tossed the pensieve to the floor. It was broken. "Yes" he said "One of my Prefects confiscated it and handed it in. Clearly Potter altered the memory. No such incident ever took place."

"Well, Professor, first…" said Amelia "as Ministry property was damaged while in your possession you will be billed for a replacement. But that is trivial compared to assaulting a child. Severus Snape, you are under arrest."

The Headmaster pointed out "Now, Amelia, let us not be hasty. After all the memory has been destroyed. That would make the event unprovable."

"Where were you when I needed you, Judge?" Harry demanded "Hope you get my cell, Snivellus!"

No one could know whether the Professor was going to attack Harry bare-handed or not. Amelia cast "Incarcerous!" at him, completely securing him.

x x x x x

Later, Amelia was sitting with Harry and Susan in an empty classroom. She felt a little nostalgic "In my day this was a second Transfiguration class. A lot more students then."

"You must be ancient, Auntie." Susan joked.

Amelia glared at her and countered "I could get rid of her and adopt you, Harry."

"I'd rather you didn't, oh Regent. I'm rather fond of her." He replied. It had started as a joke. But by the time he was done, his cheeks were pink and the back of his neck felt hot.

Amelia caught the look between the teens; put it on a mental reminder list to draw up some preliminary paperwork. She wondered who would be an appropriate negotiator for House Potter. "Well, I don't imagine you're feeling too merciful at the moment." She said "But, getting to other business, I did have an opening round with the Diggorys. I investigated their situation and they are hurting. Borrowed furniture, renting a flat too small for a family of four, and barely making ends meet. In nine years they couldn't save enough to put two children through Hogwarts at the same time."

"Actually, seeing Snape carted off makes me all giddy." Harry chuckled "How much time you think he'll do?"

As Head of the DMLE, she was fairly sure how the case would go, but there was no point in that now. She answered "One to five years, but no point in getting ahead of ourselves."

"Just seeing him arrested was a treat." He added "Anything else is tart on the treacle. Anyway, Diggory, I thought about it. Annnd…. Let's see … I don't want him to be able to touch the money, at all, ever. It's for the kids. I want them to know the truth, the real truth, about what happened. Me going to Azkaban. What he did, to me, to Hedwig. And I'd love for him to spend some time in Azkaban."

Amelia nodded, it all made sense. Harry was being more generous than many others she knew. Perhaps even more than she, herself, in similar circumstances. "There is only one problem" she finally said "It's against the law for anyone but prisoners and Aurors to be on the island for more than four hours at a time. If Amos is actually convicted, he automatically loses his job, and-"

"Yeah, I get it!" Harry snapped in a frustrated tone. He sighed and offered "Sorry, Madam Bones, I'm not angry at you."

She patted his arm and said "I know, Harry. Sometimes it is hard to do a good deed."

"There's the pensieve." Susan suggested "Maybe he can-"

Harry interrupted her with an enthusiastic kiss. He leaned over, almost toppling his desk and grabbed her face "Bloody genius!" he declared breathlessly "I like that!"

"Yes, I can see that you do." Amelia commented, dryly. Her tone clearly implied a double meaning. "Well, I can see that you don't need me around anymore. Just make sure not to skip supper."

The pair giggled and together said "Sorry."

"No, you are not." She countered "I can get the details from what we discussed into formal terms. Harry, expect a meeting some time next weekend."

After her Aunt departed, Susan got out of her desk, sat on top of Harry's leaned down and asked "Where were we?"

"About here." He replied. He momentarily considered the difference between how Cho made him want to back away as opposed to this. Then, not intentionally, only to make sure they were stable, his hand found Susan's knee. He heard a surprised squeak, but the kiss continued. Supper? What's that? Hmm… this leg is interesting.

x x x x x

Next morning, Harry skipped down the dorm stairs with a huge grin on his face.

"Didn't see ya at dinner, mate." Said Ron "Y'alrigh?"

Seamus pushed him aside and studied Harry "Weasley Weasley Weasley" he said condescendingly "Is it not obvious?"

"C'mon Ron, even I can tell. And y'all look alike to me." Added Dean. "Who was she? AS if we had to guess."

Ginny had put two and two together the evening before. She'd accepted that it just wasn't going to happen between herself and Harry. So she joined in the teasing "Gentlemen, and I use that term loosely, a true gentleman doesn't kiss and tell. And, as for you Mr. Thomas, I guess since we look alike you can just as well snog my brother as me, huh?"

"Ahh..b…err.. what I meant…uhm mean" Dean stammered

Ron gave a disgusted look to both his roommate and his sister. He emitted an inarticulate sound and walked out.

"That was cruel, Gin." Said Harry, crying tears of laughter "On so many levels. I ever start a fight with you, remind me so I can chicken out." And it was in that frame of mind he made for breakfast, and he was famished. His stomach growled the moment he could smell eggs, bacon. He sat himself next to Ron, gave his friend a playful nudge and dug in. His third bite was halfway into his mouth …

Charms Professor and Head of Ravenclaw, Filius Flitwick angrily ordered "You will come with me at once, Mr. Potter. AT ONCE!"

Harry saw Cho Chang standing with him, rolled his eyes, and stood. He gave her an angry look. He paused and picked up a piece of toast to eat while he walked.

Susan, just entering the Great Hall, grinned at him. Then noticed his expression. Hers changed to one of What's up? All she got in return was a helpless shrug.