(As always, I don't own it! Enjoy!)

BuckBeak's Trial, Soul Bonds, Quidditch

Prongs POV

When Alyssa came back from her date with Harry, she was a changed witch. She smiled more. Talked more and even joked around. Her happiness flooded the Common Room so much that I'm sure everyone felt the after-effects. Even I had hard time keeping a smile off my face. This was good. No more reclusive sister.

Even Hermione noticed my good mood. I chalked it up to Alyssa's happiness but I knew it was from the Valentine's weekend Hogsmeade trip. What Hermione and I didn't know that day was that Ron was planning on ditching us. Apparently, he had snagged himself a date and 'forgot' to tell his best mates. I wasn't angry with him, I just wish he had told us beforehand so we wouldn't have to find something for us to do.

In a way, I thanked him without him ever knowing.

After watching Alyssa leave with Harry, I was left alone with Hermione and Ron. Ron, who seemed antsy for some reason, finally 'fessed up. Looking around, he spotted someone and turned back to us.

"Errm, Harry...Hermione I'm going to say it. I've got me a date. Lavender Brown and I'm kind of nervous about this. Being a first time and all."

"Yo-you prat!" Hermione exclaimed angrily. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I, well…" he stuttered looking at me.

Throwing my hands in peace offering. "You got yourself into this one by not telling your best mates."

"Yea, I know. You're not angry, are you?"

"No." Hermione and I said in unison.

"Oh good. Just wondering ya know. I hate leaving you two like this, but ya know?"

"Yea, we know Ron." I replied silently thanking him.

"Well, bye…" he left Hermione and I standing there, alone. Turning to her, I caught a glimpse of her expression. Was it fear or relief? I wasn't sure. When she caught my attention, her face lit up in a smile.

"So, Hermione, what do you fancy doing?" I asked scratching the back of my head. The cold February wind whipped around us. Frankly, I wanted out of the cold.

"You sure you want to hang out with me all day?" she asked curiously.

"Well, sure. Why not? You're like one of my best mates." I said simply flashing her a smile. She caught on and smiled back.

Good….now we're getting somewhere.

"Erm, how about we try Tomes and Scrolls then I need to go to Scrivenshaft's for new quills." she said pointing toward the village. We started walking but then she stopped. "Harry, are you sure you want to hang out with me? I mean, you could always find Dean or Seamus…"

I sighed at her. This lovely and infuriating girl before me. "Listen, Hermione, of course I want to spend time with you today." She nodded again and we took off.

We spent nearly an hour in the bookshop where I picked up a newer addition to 'Quidditch Through the Ages' and she grabbed several more that caught her interest. After the trip through the bookshop, she led me to Scrivenshaft's where we both pick up a dozen new quills. Depositing them in endless bag that she had gotten at the bookshop, we then, wandered around Hogsmeade.

Leading her away from the village, we sat near the Shrieking Shack. The cold wasn't as bad it had been earlier that morning. The sun peeking through the clouds occasionally. Giving off a little warmth. We sat there on a rock and peered back toward the Shrieking Shack. Huddled together, I was in heaven with Hermione so close to me. Regardless, if this was Valentine's Day or not, I wanted to do something.

Ron would be pissed to find out what happens when you leave two people alone.

"Have you ever been?" I asked nodding toward the Shrieking Shack. It had to be the dumbest question ever. Of course, she hasn't.

She chuckled and huddled down into her coat, "No, but I'm not sure I want too. It's supposed to be haunted."

We sat there in comfortable silence for a minute. Turning to her, I caught her eyes. Chocolate eyes that could melt anyone. Good thing I had thought ahead to bring gloves. I didn't want my icy hands to touch her and ruin things. Caressing her cheek, something I've seen Harry do to Alyssa, my eyes searched hers. This was like that afternoon where we almost kissed. Leaning my head forward, my eyes flicked to her lips and I watched her breath float into an icy cloud.

"Harry…" she whispered softly.

"Y-yes Hermione?" I asked terrified she would tell me no.

"Kiss me, please?"

That was all the encouragement I needed. Leaning down, I placed my lips softly on hers. It was everything I had imagined for all these months. Delicate and smooth. Breaking the short kiss, I opened my eyes briefly before leaning back down and pressing my lips firmly against hers. She gasped, her mouth opening a little. I took the plunge and softly teased her parted mouth with my tongue which she gratefully accepted.

(Mind you...I'm going off what I've seen, not done)

Our tongues clashed with uncertainty, for it was both our first kiss, but we sat there in the cold and snogged properly. Her hands snuck their way into the lapels of my coat. I suppose to keep her own warm but it left shivers all over me. When I realized we needed air, I broke the kiss reluctantly.

Lazily, I watched as she opened her eyes and smiled brightly at me. Her smile could light up an entire darkened Quidditch Pitch. We stared at each other for a minute before I broke the silence, "Wa-was that alright?"

"Oh, Harry. It was wonderful." she gushed a little. It was unlike Hermione to gush but since she had been kissed, I let it slide.

"Good because I want to do it again."

"Then do it again, please?" she begged quietly.

Without further ado, I launched my lips upon hers again. This time, with a tiny bit of practice behind me, we kissed properly. Her lips were soft and supple against mine, and the soft sigh that came from her sent sparks down to my groin. Pulling her closer to me, my brain hiccuped when she eased her way into my lap.

Tangling my gloved fingers in her loose flowing hair, I acted on eon old instinct and slipped my tongue in her mouth again. Her kiss was like bonfire. It warmed my heart and ignited an inferno within my soul. I felt something spark in my own magic. I tasted her like I've never tasted anything sweeter...better…

Breaking the kiss, when I realized this was going too far-never mind you that I would never complain, but I knew Hermione. Panting, I let my hands slide down her arms and rest comfortably on her hips. Keeping them in safe zones. Her pants matched mine and we stared at each other until we caught our breath.

"Wow…" she mumbled with her eyes still closed.

"Yea…." I replied. I didn't dare tell her about my magic sparking.

We sat there for a few minutes longer, before she blushed and climbed off my lap. I instantly missed her warmth. Taking her hand, I led her away from the Shrieking Shack and we walked hand-in-hand to the Three Broomsticks. Inside, the warmth seeped into my bones; much like when Hermione and I snogged.

Taking a seat, we sat closer than normal. No one seemed to notice us. At least I didn't think so. There were a smattering of Gryffindors eating alone or in small groups. Ordering butterbeer and food, we sat back against the booth and talked quietly. Our hands never leaving each other's. Now that I had kissed her, I wasn't going to let her go. Looking at her, she chewed her lip nervously. A part of me wished to take those lips again, but when her eyes caught mine, I could tell she was in deep thought.

Casting a Privacy and Silencing Charm, I turned back to her. "Hermione, what's wrong?"

"Don't get me wrong, I love what we did earlier." she said softly a hint of pink gracing her cheeks. I leaned forward, intent on kissing her again, but she kept talking. "But where does that leave us?"

"Wh-what do you mean?" I asked with my addled brain.

She smirked, "What I mean you silly prat is what we are going to do about us?" she licked her lips slowly and I groaned. "What do we tell Ron?"

That brought me out my lust induced haze. "Oh, yea...hadn't thought about him. Well what do you want? Do you want us to be together?"

"I-I do but I'm not ready to tell Ron. I think it would anger him."

Lifting an eyebrow at her, "So you want us to keep this secret?"

"I know it's against my better judgement, but yes." she sighed.

I took a Gryffindor breath "So Hermione, would you like to be my secret girlfriend?"

Her laugh was a two fold. One it terrified me that she was laughing at me, but two, it elated me that she understood my humor.

"I would love to be your secret girlfriend Harry Potter."

Since that day, Hermione had I kept our relationship a secret. Of course, I don't think we could hide it from Alyssa. She had her eye on me as soon as she returned that night. Hermione and I had bid Ron goodnight earlier and we sat in the Common Room. Her head resting on my shoulder, our hands entwined. Occasionally I would lean down to kiss her. She seemed much more relaxed now.

"You know I've fancied you since the beginning of the year." she confessed a few nights later. We were sitting in the back of the library supposedly doing our Transfiguration homework. My lips, however; kept her quite distracted.

"Have you now?" my voice was low as I dropped another kiss on her lips. We hadn't progressed past lips or hand holding yet.

"Mh-hmm, I have." she confirmed before giving me one last kiss before turning back to her homework.

Taking a seat beside Alyssa in the Great Hall, her happiness was still abundant. I looked over at my sister, who was still beaming. Reaching for the scrambled eggs, I set some on my plate. Toast and bangers were next. I knew I had to fill my plate before Ron arrived. There wouldn't be anything left.

She and I sat there in silence eating. I noticed that slowly students begun trickling in. Ever since I found out that Alyssa jogged each morning, I had learned to join her. Hermione's comment about my improved body left me soaring.

"So, I've noticed you're quite the chipper one here lately…" Alyssa spoke up from her light breakfast.

"You're the one to talk…." I muttered.

"So, wanna tell me what's got you so happy?"

"No, you wanna tell me yours." I countered.

"Don't worry little brother, I won't tell anyone. I think I already know. I can smell her on you."

I dropped my fork and slowly turned my head to look at my sister who was smiling devilishly. Her brown eyes twinkling madly. She knew something. I felt my heart begin to race. We had been careful, hadn't we? Keeping things quiet around others.

"I-I-don't know what you're on about?" I tried to say as calmly as I could.

"Now, now Prongs; you can't lie to me." she taunted. "So, spill. When did it happen?"

I sighed heavily and pushed my plate of delicious and tempting breakfast aside. Turning to look at her, I quickly glanced around the room and noticed we were still relatively alone. "Fine. Valentine's Day. Yours?"

"Same." she smiled at me taking a sip of her tea. "What happened?"

"We kissed by the Shrieking Shack. Then a 'date' at the Three Broomsticks where I asked to her to be my girlfriend. You?"

"A fancy dinner and dancing on a yacht sailing down the Thames. He said 'I love you'." she gushed.

My eyes widened. I was impressed with Harry's idea of a date. With that kind of time you could plan something nice for your girl. I was a bit jealous. Alyssa eyed me but said nothing. Setting her tea down, she placed her hands in her lap. Her face spelled troubled.

"I told him I love him too. But I'm scared." she confessed quietly. Her sadness was overwhelming that I felt my own heart break a little. "I don't know how to go from here."

My brave sister scared of love. What kind of home life did she have before she came here? There were times that I wished I had enough courage to ask her. I know I was denied of love from my relatives, but Alyssa? She had her mother to love her, didn't she? The hopelessness that laid upon my sister's eyes in the Great Hall that morning changed something for me. A light bulb clicked over my head.

It made sense.

She was silently telling me what kind of life she had led before she found me. How she tried her hardest to do what was right. How she gave her love freely to me or Harry. Even Hermione, Ron, Sirius and Remus. But to everyone else she was reclusive. How her trust in people were limited to a meager six people. That she was afraid of love because, even though, she had a mother; she never received the love she craved. So she gave her love to those that she could trust.

She was trying to make up for the life she had been denied with me. With the rest of her magical family. It's why she fought so hard to gain custody of me. She couldn't lose something that she had just found. Something tangible. Why she would have dueled Sirius Black to death to protect me had he not been innocent. Or the Quidditch game when she battled Dementors.

A icy knot formed in my stomach. What had her family done to her?

She smirked ruefully. "You're getting better at reading me." I gaped at her declaration. "But not all the way."

"What did they do to you, Alyssa?" I whispered.

"Not now Harry." she said glumly using my name. I knew, then, she was serious. "Now's a time for celebration. We've both found someone that we can love. Be grateful for that. Not everyone finds love."

Or receive it.

So, I changed the subject. Something lighter; not quite merry, but lighter. I remembered something she said earlier before we dove off into this subject. One that I would have to analyze with my genius girlfriend.

"You said you can smell her on me?" I asked.

Her chuckle startled me. I had expected her to be melancholy still. "A story for another day. Let's just say it's another Potter trait. It's a weird one, though."

"What's weird?" I heard a voice ask. Hermione took a seat beside me and squeezed my hand. Ron sat down across from us mumbled a hello and begun digging into the available food. Once his plate was full he begun the ancient ritual of shoving food into his mouth. We turned from him and picked up our conversation.

"Alyssa was telling me about some Potter trait. Said it was weird." I replied skipping over the previous conversation.

"Don't worry, I'll tell you soon enough. Let's get past your fourteenth birthday."

"I'll be in America for my birthday." I complained.

"Too right you will. I'm going to join you after I finish my training." she said happily. What I didn't know was that she was planning my birthday already. Something, I'm sure will outdo her Christmas gift. "Do you and Ron know about the camp?" she asked directing her attention to Hermione.

"I do. And while, I don't like him being gone to another country for a summer, I am happy that he's going to get to learn how to defend himself. It's what he's wanted for a while now." She replied. I could hear the girlfriend in her coming out. Squeezing her hand, we turned back to our breakfast.

A few days later, we were sitting in Creatures, the rain from a chilly March wind whipping around us keeping the class miserable. Unfortunately for us, Hagrid wasn't in class which made some of the students happy. Unfortunately for me, Ron, and Hermione we knew what was going on today. Professor Grubby-Plank hobbling down the parted sea of students and begun his lecture. I barely paid attention. Hermione, was beside me, her emotions all over the place.

Today was Buckbeak's trial. Well, his first of many. I'm sure Hagrid was determined to fight for the Hippogriff. Hermione, Ron and I compiled what we could and sent it along with Hagrid this morning who looked glum. He was dead sure that Buckbeak was going to be executed.

We didn't share his sentiment, but we couldn't let him give up hope. I had expressed it to Alyssa, and while she was unhappy, there wasn't much she could do unless she had bear witness to the incident. Unfortunately she had been buried deep in Potions at the time. So she couldn't help us. So we relied on ourselves. Not that I was angry with Alyssa.

The rain drizzled around us but finally after a long fifty minutes, Prof Grubby-Plank dismissed us. I was far too happy to go.

"My father will make sure that beast is executed." we heard a voice behind us. Turning, I felt my anger spike again. Narrowing my eyes, I opened my mouth to say something when Ron beat me to it.

"Sod off you git. No one cares what your daddy will do."

"Oh, but the mudblood here cares. See how she's going to cry…" Malfoy started but had two wands pointed at him in an instant.

"Say one more fucking word, Malfoy. Just say it." I threatened.

"Or what, you'll run and get your sister to fight your battles for you?" he sneered but walked off from us to catch up with his gorilla like friends. This was so unlike Malfoy to start a fight and then leave half way through.

"I'll be right back…" Ron said angrily rushing off to catch up with Malfoy.

"Ron, don't…" Hermione cried watching him run off. Throwing herself in my arms, she sobbed into my robes. I held her tightly and let her cry herself out. Any other time of holding her, I would be overjoyed but this wasn't the right moment.

"I don't want him to die, Harry." she sniffed as I wiped away her tears.

"I know you don't Hermione. I don't want him too either, but if they rule it, there's nothing that we can do, is there?" I asked looking at her splotchy face.

"Maybe, I don't know." I looked around for a quick second and realized we were alone. Leaning down, I captured her lips in a quick kiss. It had been a couple of days since I had tasted her lips and I missed her. That pent up energy lashed out and I pulled her to me a bit roughly. She didn't seem to mind when her arms snaked around my neck and pulled me closer to her.

"Is there somewhere we can sneak off to?" I mumbled against her lips. Taking my hand, she gave me a cheeky grin and dragged me behind Hagrid's hut. Dropping our bags, I leaned her against the side of the hut and kissed her properly. Our tongues clashed and she let out a soft moan that was close to being my undoing.

We might be only thirteen-she was fourteen, but when you felt deeply for someone, age didn't matter. Her hands tangled in my wet locks drawing me even closer to her. My hands itched to touch her elsewhere beside her hips, like I've caught Harry doing to Alyssa.

No, I was not spying!

We heard a snap and a voice that sounded like Ron. "Oi! Where did you two go?"

Breaking a part, I sighed and focused on quickly getting myself together. Hermione's pink lips taunted me. I leaned down to kiss her again, when she shook her head at me. Damn. Fixing her robes, she straightened mine a little.

"We're down here Ron." she called. I shot her an evil glare which she promptly ignored.

Waiting on what seem like forever, he came around the corner. "What 'choo doin' back here?"

"Hermione ran off after Malfoy insulted her and I chased her while you chased him." I lied quickly. I hoped he believed me. Knowing Ron he would take my word for truth.

He nodded. Taking my words for truth. It was amazing how such a small lie would help a bloke out in this situation. Hermione eyed me with amusement. I was technically telling the truth. Just minus snogging her part.

"Well come on, the rain isn't letting up." he said impatiently. Reaching down, I grabbed my bag as did Hermione. Our fingers brushed a little sending shocks in my fingers but we followed Ron back to the castle. Once we were in the Entrance Hall, Alyssa was coming down the stairs. Giving us a pitying wave, she cast a Drying Charm on all three of us.

"Decided to go for a swim, you three?" she teased. Thunder rumbled behind us and we all turned to catch a bolt of lightning.

"Ah, well, that means no Creatures for me today!" she beamed happily.

"Yea...Yea...lucky you." Ron muttered dejectedly. Alyssa shot him a look but left it alone.

"Did…...something happen during your Creatures today?" she asked.

"Malfoy." we said in unison.

"And what has he done this time?"

"Insulted Hagrid about Buckbeak." Ron said angrily.

She sighed and nodded. "Is that today?"

"Yea, it is." Hermione sniffed. I looked down at her and wished to hold her close to me.

"I'm sure things will be alright, Hermione." Alyssa assured her.

"I'm hungry. Let's eat." Ron joined in apparently not fond of the emotional side of things.

Hermione sighed exasperatedly, "You're always hungry."

"And like I tell you Hermione," he sighed rolling his eyes, "I'm a growing boy."

Chuckling, I followed my friends into the Great Hall. Thunder and lightening whipped around the castle. Possibly canceling the Quidditch practice I had tonight. The game against Ravenclaw was coming up soon and Oliver wanted to win to keep us in the running for the Cup this year. The Hufflepuff Captain had offered a re-match but Oliver even said it. They won fair and square; even with me falling off my broom and sequentially losing the game.

He had booked the Pitch every night until the game. Which was this coming Saturday. Perfect. I just hope the weather was flying perfect. This time Alyssa would be able to really see a game. Really see what a Quidditch match was like. I know the Americans played but it was something about watching a British game that was exciting. Our blood bled the colors of our team for life.

Before I reached the door, Alyssa pulled me aside. I looked at her with interest. Sometimes she pulled me aside to catch up and other times to let me in on something. Like she did the other day when she found me in the library of all places and talked to me about the letter her-our- lawyer sent.

"Fancy seeing you buried in the books." I heard. Looking up, I saw a smiling Alyssa.

"Homework has to get done or Hermione will be after my ass." I replied moving my bag to another chair so she could sit down. When she did, she pulled a book and parchment out. We sat there in silence for a little while. The only sounds coming from us was the scratching of quills against parchment. I've never been the one to do my homework so diligently, but since I started dating Hermione, secretly of course, I had upped my studying. She joked that she was rubbing off on me. Plus, it helped I had support in the homework department. I had a sister, who I looked up too, that was a dedicated student.

"So…" I started still with my head bent buried in my parchment, "I know this isn't a study group moment, is it?"

"Not really it's not. I'm doing some extra credit for Uncle Moony. He argued I didn't need it, but I insisted." she said nonchalantly. Only her and Hermione would do extra credit.

"So what you want to talk about?" I asked setting my quill down to look over at her across the table.

Setting her own quill down, she drew her wand and cast a Privacy Charm and Silencing Charm "So, got a letter from our lawyer earlier." she started trying to gauge my reaction. This was good news or bad news.

"Said the only way to exonerate Uncle Siriy is to have an extensive Penesive testimony and recover his wand. That wand is something we don't have. Even Uncle Siriy isn't sure what happened to it."

"Can't you use a Summoning Charm?" I asked a little annoyed.

"Not sure. I'm powerful, but not that powerful. Even if we went back to the 'scene of the crime' the magical signature would have disappeared. It's been twelve years." she explained to me. I wasn't an idiot and she knew it. It did help to have someone keep me in the loop about things like this.

"So, what do we do now?"

"Well, I've written our lawyer and Uncle Siriy. I know for a fact that the Headmaster won't let me leave the grounds to go do this. I have to have a damn good reason to leave the campus." she said swearing a little. "It's in Muggle London. So, I've already asked Harry to go with him. If he can't then, Uncle Siriy will have to go alone."

"Do you really trust him to go alone?" My panic beginning to rise. I couldn't lose my Godfather. "What if he's seen by someone from the Magical community?"

"That's a risk we'll have to take." she said levelly. She didn't seem to happy about the decisions she was forced to make.

Was she mad? Risking losing our Godfather like that to see our lawyer without someone going with him. He was a wanted fugitive. Someone-anyone-would love to turn him into the Ministry. Then, I was almost sure he would be put to death for escaping. My heart began to pound in my chest. My breathing becoming erratic. I had just found a family and now there was a chance that we could lose him.

"Prongs….HARRY!" Alyssa snapped her fingers in my face raising her voice in the process. "You're working yourself to a full blown panic attack. Relax...breathe"

My eyes became focused and the library nook swam clearly in front of me. Alyssa's expression was of concern and I instantly felt guilty for worrying her. Giving her a shaky smile, I took a few short breaths and nodded my head at her.

"I'm fine. Just panicked. Can't we use the spells you used that night I first met him?"

She chewed on her lower lip, "We could, but someone would have to re-do them so he could get back. He's not acquainted enough around Muggle London so apparition is possibly out of the question. Even I haven't seen their Muggle office."

"What about Harry?" I asked remembering she said she had asked him.

"If he can get away. He's in South Africa right now. I can communicate with him, but I can't see him. Trust me, it's been a drag for him to be so far away."

I looked at her skeptically. "Why is he in South Africa?"

"Charity work." she simply said. Then, I finally looked at her. I mean, really looked at her. There were dark circles under her eyes and her whole person seemed like it was heavy. Like there was a heavy weight on her. One that she couldn't shake. My memory rushed back when she came back from her night out on Valentine's Day. How luminous she looked. Now, she looked like a dark cloud hung over her.

"So that love bond is real?" I asked.

She sighed and yawned. Her eyes closing briefly but re-opened them. "Yea, we looked into it before he left, but there's more to it. It's more like a soul bond. Trust me when he's back in the country, I won't look or feel this bad off. You don't see me when he leaves. Especially when he has to leave the country."

"Can you tell me about it?" I asked with trepidation.

"You know that panic attack you nearly had?" I nodded at her. "It's like that. Only worse. I can't breath, I can't think. It's like when we're together we're full of light. Our souls are bonded but when we're apart, especially in those few moments after we've parted, it feels like our souls are being pulled apart to go back into the rightful body."

My eyes widened at her description. If this is what it's like to have a soul bond, I wasn't sure I wanted one. Flicking my eyes to glance outside, it had gotten dark since she sat down. Even where we were sitting you could see the Black Lake below. The stars were starting to peek from their hiding place to illuminate the night sky.

Turning back to my sister, I felt bad for her. But I knew she hid her sorrow well. Maybe that's why she said she wasn't ready for this term. They would be apart from one another. I wonder how long it would be before things became really bad for her? Would there be anyway for me to help her or would I be just as helpless as a newborn babe?

How in the world did she manage this? I don't think I could do it. I mean, I wouldn't know if I could bear being away from my bonded mate. Just thinking about leaving Hermione for the summer made my chest ache. I could survive it, like I did every summer, but now that we were dating. Now that I knew what her lips tasted like. How she breathed when I held her, kissed her. I couldn't imagine the pain she went through when they were parted.

"Is it like that for him?" I spoke up breaking the silence between us. This was one of the things I loved dearly about my sister. She gave me time to process things before springing something else on me.

"It is. It's only gotten worse after we became exclusive over Christmas. Will was with him when we parted this last time. He told me later on, in the journal, what Harry was experiencing. That's when I realized it was two-fold."

"How long does the feeling last?"

"Until I can't feel him anymore. You know I snuck out of school to see him before he left. Neither of us, according to Will, functioned correctly until Harry was in the plane. Then I could breath and continue on with my life." she said slowly. "The longer we're apart, the harder it is to function. Reminds me of depression. Our souls have to be re-bonded every so often."

I nodded my head. Just another interesting piece about my sister that she freely gave to me. I learned a little about her all the time. I think she did it like this to keep me, or even her, from being overwhelmed by the information. We haven't even scratched the surface of my home life with the Dursleys yet. And quite frankly I was terrified to tell her. I know how her temper can get and I wouldn't put it past her to blow up their house with them in it. Or slowly poison them to death.

I watched as she took back to her quill and I did the same. There would be more conversations like this later on. I wanted to know all about her.

"Your, uh, robes are askew…" she snickered at me.

I looked down and scowled at her. "Not funny, Alyssa."

"Oh ho, it's hilarious. You almost got caught, didn't you?" I could hear the tease in her voice and I didn't really like it.

"If you really want to know, yes we did." I snipped. This didn't deter her. She shook her head and chuckled.

"You two sneaking around…." she closed her eyes and continued to laugh at my expense. "It's worse than when Harry and I were sneaking around."

"Yea, well you weren't in a castle full of students who love gossip." I shot back.

"Oh, yes I was. Ilvermorny-when he could come see me. I've done my sneaking around." she said before she got serious. "You know, you both will have to tell Ron."

"I know, but right now we're having fun sneaking around."

"That's good and all, but be careful doing it. Don't go making me an Auntie just yet." she teased and skipped into the Great Hall.

"ALYSSA!" I screeched embarrassed. Her laughter floated back to me and I followed her into the Great Hall and sat down. Scowling at her, she smirked but kept her mouth shut.

"Harry, is everything OK?" Hermione asked watching the play between Alyssa and I.

"Yea…" I muttered darkly glaring at Alyssa. Hermione seemed to get the hint that I was being teased on and left it alone. This could mean war if Alyssa kept it up. Oh, and I knew she would. She poked her tongue out and I whispered an incantation that turned her tongue a different color every time she spoke. She wouldn't notice until someone mentioned it.

Halfway through lunch she opened her mouth to say something when Neville spewed his pumpkin juice everywhere. Everyone around shot him an evil look and begin to clean up. "Wh-what's wrong with your tongue Alyssa?"

"What do you mean, Neville?" I heard her ask but pretended to not care.

"Your tongue is blue." he said pointing at her.

"It's what?" she nearly shouted. She scanned everyone at our corner of the table. Then her eyes landed on me. "Prongs...this is your work, isn't it?" Her tongue turned a bright shade of pink.

"No clue what you're talking about sis." I smirked and hid my laugh in my drink.

"Right...You know this means war don't you?" her tongue changed colors again.

"You wouldn't dare…." I gulped audibly. Everyone at the table turned to look at us. This ping-pong game.

She only smiled at me and turned back to her lunch. What I didn't know was that she had already pranked me. Oh, I found out when I sat down in Defense later that day. Every time my quill touched parchment, it would sing some Merlin awful Muggle lullaby. I even tried using Hermione's quill and it still sang!

Mortified, I knew I would have to get her back . Even Uncle Moony seemed amused when I explained to him what was transpiring. He said if I wanted it to stop, I'd have to call a truce. But, I wasn't ready for one. Not yet anyway. This could escalate, but he did warn to keep it out of Potions or else she and I would receive detention.

The prank war continued. Every Professor had a good laugh at Alyssa and I. Everyone but Snape and the Headmaster. The color changing tongue and singing quills were just the beginning. I retaliated and made her shoes sing when she came close to a group of students. She, then, made my hair change color every time someone said my name. That was the one everyone loved. I think I heard my name dozens of times. So, I charmed her hair to change style every time someone said her name.

Then she added windshield wipers to my glasses. I made sure her shoes would keep untying on her. Finally when she started to transform me into a chicken is when the Headmaster put a stop to our prank war.

Sitting in his office, her shoes were doing a jolly tap dance and I was still picking feathers out of my clothes, we were barely listening to him berate us about the disturbance of the students with our prank war.

"Miss Potter, you are a seventh year. You should know better than to act like a child." He scolded.

Then she went on and did it. "But he started it!" she whined trying to keep the grin off her face.

"No I didn't!" I shot back whining like she was.

"Yes you did! You turned my tongue a different color!" she pouted.

"No, I didn't! You made all the quills sing to me in class!"

This continued until Dumbledore banged his hand on his desk. Angrily, he looked at us, "Both of you stop this incessant whining now! Quit acting like two school children. This is Hogwarts. You represent yourselves like proper students."

"But, Headmaster, we are students here. Wouldn't that make us school children?" Alyssa asked far too innocently for my taste. I covered my snicker by coughing and she reached over instinctively to thump me on the back.

I peeked a glance at the Headmaster. He was livid to have his words turned back on him. Gone was the merry grandfatherly type. Replaced was a petulant old fool who thought he could rule the world.

"The next time you're caught doing a prank war, I will have both of you expelled. Out. of. My. office. Now!" he roared as he stood up to face us. Not being told twice, Alyssa and I grabbed our things and rushed from the room.

Back in the Common Room, we replayed the whole scene to Ron, Hermione, Neville and Ginny-who decided to join us. Everyone was uproariously laughing at our antics to anger the Headmaster, but Hermione. She shot me a look that said we would be talking. I sighed but still laughed for everyone's sake.

"He really threatened to expel you both?" Ron asked incredulously. "But everything was innocent!"

"I don't think it had to do with the prank war, Ronald." Hermione spoke up. "It was the fact that Alyssa and Harry annoying rant in his office that drove him to say it."

"Yea, well, I was tired of being dragged into his office to be yelled at by him over something I wouldn't let him bully me into." Alyssa pointed out to Hermione. She nodded at my sister and I found something could be taken off the blame game.

That was the end of the prank war for quite a while. Oh, I'm sure we'll have another one, just not around the Headmaster again. We would have to be sneakier. But it wouldn't arise during the school year.

That Saturday when I woke up, the sky was clear for the match against Ravenclaw. Between pranks, schoolwork and sneaking around to snog Hermione, Oliver was pushing us further into the ground. Learning new moves to catch the 'Claws off guard. Last night, Hermione and Alyssa were watching the practice, when Oliver let the snitch loose and I caught it within seconds of it being released. Being on this Firebolt was amazing. It was faster, more accurate than my Nimbus. I missed that broom, but this one blew my old broom out of the water.

Several times, when I was getting the hang of the broom, I nearly broke my neck. It was thrilling. Alyssa told me that if I practiced on the broom, we'd go for a race. I was deadset to prove that I could beat her. I've seen her on her own Firebolt. I knew that she was a natural, like myself. Dismounting my broom after my spectacular quick catch of the snitch, my broom in hand, I walked over the crowd of the team.

"Since Potter caught the snitch so quick, I'm going to call it a night. Everyone needs to get a full eight hours. Who knows what the 'Claws have up their sleeve for tomorrow. We gotta win this one guys. I mean it." Oliver said.

"Yea, Yea, we know Ollie. Relax man." Fred Weasley pipped up.

"I'm serious!" Oliver exclaimed.

"And we know you are. Just that we know the plays…" started Fred.

"…. like the back of our hands." finished George.

"Oh, look. Never noticed that was there…" they said in unison causing everyone to laugh.

This was one the reasons why they were on the team-besides being damn good beaters-the tension relief.

"OK, everyone dismissed!" Oliver said as we all walked away from him. Everyone scattering with their groups to the locker room. Since we didn't practice hard, I changed into my school robes and headed back to find Hermione and Alyssa. They were sitting in the bleachers talking extensively about properties of spells. I stood from a distance and watched them. My two favorite witches in the world. At least, they got along.

Entering the Great Hall, I sat with the rest of the team, giving a quick nod to Hermione who was, surprisingly, devoid of books. I think Alyssa had talked her into giving up the book for the matches. At least for a few hours on the weekend. This made me smile and made Ron goggle at her.

He didn't understand why she wasn't buried in a book today. That she could give up something she loved so much to watch Quidditch. I brought it up but Hermione smiled at me and said she would prefer watching me fly than read a book. That was good enough answer for me.

Looking over at the Ravenclaw table, I could see they were getting prepped as well. The Ravenclaw seeker was Cho Chang, but never paid attention to how she flew so I was going in this blind. Entering the locker half an hour later, we changed into our uniforms and Oliver proceeded to give us another prep speech but refrained. I wondered why but then figured it could have been his impassioned words from last night.

Leaving the locker room, the entire Gryffindor side screamed in cheers. Lee Jordan, our esteemed announcer, giving us our encouragement as well as bashing on the Ravenclaw team. Which earned him a harsh word from Prof McGonagall. The air was crisp and cool. The skies were blue with just a hint of overcast for later in the day. Maybe we could have this game over before it became cloudy. I wanted a long walk with Hermione after this.

Mounting our brooms, the game took off easily. On my Firebolt, I raced between around my teammates who were busy dodging their way around the Pitch. The screams from the Gryffindor side was intoxicating. Cho Chang was on a Comet 260. Her boom would never be able to keep up with my Firebolt. I kind of felt sorry for her.

Soon enough, the game was 80 up in our favor, but the 'Claws fought hard and added their own 30 points to the score board. I kept a lookout for Alyssa and Hermione. When I found them, I shot them a quick wave. Ron, who was easy to spot, was hollering as loud as he could. The boy sure loved his Quidditch. I've always wondered why he never tried out. Even if he didn't make the team one year, he could always try again the next.

Finally, after about twenty minutes after the Ravenclaw team scored another ten points, I saw the Snitch. It was the third time I've seen it. Just as I went to plunge to my death to grab it, I saw something out the corner of my eye.

Dementors coming onto the field.

I ducked and dodged a bludger that was headed my way. Lucky for me, George-or was it Fred? Was on my ass and smacked it away. Shooting him a grateful look, I spiraled my way down the Pitch chasing the golden ball that had eluded me the entire game-Until now.

Whipping out my wand, I think I was the only one who noticed them, "Expecto Patronum!" I shouted and this time, like the last time I was with Prof Lupin, a glowing silver white shield shot out of my wand. Twisting my body, I hung upside down with my feet hooked firmly onto my broom and grabbed the Snitch.

A whistle blew, a horn sounded off. We had won the game. In all their exuberance, the whole of the Gryffindor tower begin their rush toward the field. Grabbing my broom with my hands, I maneuvered my way back into a sitting position before landing. Ron, Hermione and Alyssa were the first of my House to meet me. The Weasley twins hoisted me on their shoulders and the crowd erupted in mass cheer.

"PARTY IN THE TOWER!" Someone shouted. At that everyone took off toward the Gryffindor tower. Leaving the team alone to shower and dress. When we got there an hour later, the party was in full swing. When our Housemates saw us, another cheer erupted and I felt like celebrating a little. Someone had hooked a radio up and the Weird Sisters were playing at full blast.

Taking a seat on the couch, I was soon surrounded by friends. Hermione took a seat on my left, Ron on my right. Neville, Ginny, Dean and Seamus surrounded me. Over in the corner, Alyssa was talking with someone. From my angle, I couldn't tell who it was.

"Harry's here…." I heard Hermione whisper in my ear. He must have returned from his trip to South Africa. I could tell Alyssa was happy. You could see a huge change in her from this morning to now. She lit up like the sun. Nodding, I turned back to my friends. I knew, later on, I would have time with Hermione. I also knew she would berate me for my dangerous stunt from earlier. I didn't care. I was happy.

"You know...that stunt you pulled nearly gave me heart failure." Alyssa eyed me dangerously still sitting on Harry's lap.

"That stunt was brilliant love…" he said standing up for me. I shot him a grateful smile. Her gaze went from stern sister to 'in love' witch when she turned her head back to Harry.

"Yea, brilliant, but dangerous. What was you thinking you silly boy?"

"Um, winning the game?" I sputtered.

"Catch the snitch or die tryin?" she mused.

"Damn right!" Ron exclaimed. "We won, that's all that matters!"

"But now we have to beat Slytherin." Neville added. "And I heard they haven't lost a game yet."

"We'll crush them, you know we will. With Harry- I mean Prongs- here being the best Seeker yet." Ron stated a bit too hotly for my taste.

"Be that as it may, who was that you cast a Patronus on?" Alyssa asked stealing Harry's butterbeer but making a face in the process.

"What do you mean? Those were Dementors…" I looked at everyone, worry starting creep on my face. "Weren't they?"

"Ermm, sorry Prongs…." Hermione started chewing on her lip, "they weren't. It was Malfoy and his goons."

"How do you know that?"

"I stayed behind and talked to Prof McGonagall." she said like I was an idiot.

"Oh. I hate to ask this, but are they OK?"

"They will be. Detention for two weeks. They were trying to get you to fall off your broom again." Ginny pipped up. Didn't think she was paying attention. "Yea, I stayed behind too. I wanted to know what happened."

"Bloody gits. They got what was coming to them." Ron grumbled.

"Well, regardless of that, good game to my old House." Harry said giving me a nod. Come to think of it, he looked like he had a bit of a glow to him. Must be part of that soul bond thing Alyssa told me about.

Later that night, Ron ran off to join a few of our mates in a Wizard's chess competition. He was returning champion and was desperate to keep his crown. Hermione complained of homework but dragged me with her. Trust me, I didn't argue with her. The only ones who saw us sneak out was Alyssa and Neville.

Dragging me to the darkest corners of the library, we had about thirty minutes before Madam Pince locked up for the night, she dropped her bag off at her desk and we snuck further back into the library where we both knew no one would find us. Pulling her close to me, my hands slipped comfortably on her lower back, I kissed her tenderly at first. But when she pulled me closer to her, her mouth slipped open gaining me entrance.

"Harry…" she breathed after several long minutes of snogging. I pulled back and she plucked my glasses off my face leaving my partially blind but I didn't care. I looked into her dark eyes before dropping my lips to her neck. Her gasp was all I needed to continue. Her fingers came to entwine in my hair as I swapped side and took care of the other side of her neck. When she gave off a low moan, I felt her knees buckle as my mouth found a spot behind her ear.

Bringing me back to her incredible mouth, I pushed her further into the books. Hoping we weren't too loud to bring Madam Pince. My arousal for her evident as my hands slipped free of their comfort zone and rested on the hem of her skirt while the other inched slowly under her shirt. It didn't seem to bother her when she lifted her leg to hook up around my hips; exposing her thigh to me. Her own hands wandering over my arms and down my chest. Her hands fingering the buttons of my shirt as she popped two of them loose. Subconsciously, I ground my arousal into her and both moaned together-which broke us apart.

We had been quite loud. Panting, I leaned my forehead against hers and I closed my eyes. We didn't dare move away from each other. "Hermione…." I groaned feeling her body press into mine.

"...we have to stop, Harry." she mumbled. Her breath tickling my lips as I dove in for one more kiss. She was right. We were letting ourselves get out of control. Reluctantly, I broke away from her and let her slip away from me. I could tell she was fixing her clothes. Leaning my hand and head against the bookshelf, I counted slowly to ten and thought of everything to kill my arousal for her.

After a few minutes, I looked up at her. Her eyes searching mine, like she wanted to be snogging again. "Don't...don't look at me like that Hermione." I groaned when she bit her lower lip.

"Like what Harry?"

"Like you want to snog my brains out…" I mustered.

"I think I already did…" she chuckled. I let out quiet chuckle agreeing with her.

"Come on, we need to get back before people start to question us. Plus, Madam Pince is closing up in ten minutes."

Taking her hand, after I fixed my clothes, I nodded dumbly as she led me out of the library. Who knew I would come to love the library so much?