Harry Potter and the Australian
by Roff
Chapter Two
Harry was setting up the dummies and the training area the way he wanted it in his trainers, shorts, and tank top when Jessica came out of the bathroom dressed in a similar fashion only her shorts and top were a lot tighter, not to mention her top was really just a sports bra that clearly showed her trim and tight looking mid-drift. He took one look at her as she approached and wondered how he was going to stay focused enough to train.
He then realized that it might be good to have a distraction. He could train himself to ignore it and focus on his goal.
"So, what did you have in mind for training?" she asked as she walked up to him, her Australian accent sounding sexier by the minute.
"I can tell you that I did not plan on having a distraction for my training today, but I still welcome it. Just another thing to keep me on my toes," he said happily.
"Are you saying I'm going to be a distraction for your training?" she asked confused.
"Yes! Do you realize how pretty you are? Dressed in those tight shorts and top you will provide a definite distraction."
"I'm very comfortable in this but do I need to ask the room for different clothing to wear so you won't be distracted?"
"No, of course not. I told you I welcome the distraction. It'll give me something else to work on while I train. It's very dangerous to allow yourself to be distracted by something during a fight. It could cost you your life if you're not careful."
"So, let me get this straight, Harry," she said with a big smile. "You find me attractive?"
"Yes, you are a very attractive 16 year old girl and I am a 16 year old teenaged boy with all the trappings of being a teenaged boy. Rest assured though the attraction is just physical. You see, I have my eye on someone else. It's been in the making for a few years now."
"I see. Well, just in case we're keeping score then I should tell you that I find you physically attractive too, Harry."
"You do?" he asked surprised.
"Especially in those shorts and shirt showing off all your nice muscles."
"In that case, will I be a distraction to you while we train?" he asked concerned.
She looked him up and down for a few seconds thinking it over before she replied with a shrug, "I can manage."
Harry frowned. "I think being friends with you is just going to lead to a whole lot of trouble, Miss Kelly."
"Tough! You're stuck with me until this debt is repaid, Mr. Potter," she said smiling.
"Yep, nothing but trouble," he said agreeing with himself.
"So what do you want to do first?" she asked getting them back on track.
"You can do whatever you want. The dummies can move around and even fight back if that's what you want them to do. You just tell the room. I've made sure it will take direction from either one of us. They will never hit you with anything dangerous but the color of the spells they cast will change based on what spell they are supposedly casting. They can also fight at different levels if you need something harder or easier. Oh, if they hit you with the green killing curse then you will be lightly stunned for about a minute."
She nodded then asked, "What are you going to do?"
"I have some exercises I'm going to start with. They help with speed and potency."
"I've never heard of these exercises."
"You're welcome to watch and learn if you want."
"Sure!"
Harry started off slow and then gradually picked up the pace. He then started explaining what he was concentrating on while he did the exercises, recalling what the book he read had related to him.
It was odd to Jessica as he almost looked like he was doing a sort of dance with his feet while his wand moved in specific patterns. He did this for about five minutes before stopping.
About three minutes in she had picked up on the patterns for the wand. However, she wasn't sure about the foot movement but he explained that it was whatever felt comfortable but you had to keep moving in relation to the wand which required a lot of arm and wrist movement.
When they completed that, Harry asked the room for two large blocks of granite. The room provided the stones several feet away. Harry then explained to Jessica what he learned about how to make your spells more potent.
Once he explained it, he had her think through the theory and try it on her block of stone, waiting on her in case she had any questions. She didn't so prepared herself to test it out.
She cast the blasting curse at her stone and watched as it tore a good chunk off the corner of it.
"Not bad. Was that more or less what you usually do?" he asked.
"I'm pretty sure that was a bit more."
"If you keep working on it, you'll get even better at it. Magical power is one thing, while potency is another. Using both can be a very lethal combination."
"I can see that."
"Most people would only dust it at best or knock a few small chips off it. You did very well but I think you can do better."
"I'll give it some more thought. Why don't you go next?" she asked him.
"Very well," Harry answered as he squared off with his own stone.
Just like Jessica, he cast the blasting curse silently which appeared to be travelling at a faster speed than hers. The spell hit the large granite stone in the middle and broke it clear in two while at the same time knocking it back toward the wall a few feet as stone chunks went flying off to the side. One even clipped her stone and chipped it more.
Harry nodded his head at the effort and then turned to Jessica to see if she wanted to try again and hopefully improve. He found her just staring at him with big eyes and her pert lips parted as if in shock.
"What?" he asked.
"My word, Harry! Exactly how powerful are you?"
"Oh, I guess I'm fairly powerful. There was a prophecy about me and Voldemort that basically said we would be equal in power. I'm pretty sure I'm not at his level yet, but I still have a few years to reach my peak," he said like it was no big deal.
"That was amazing!" she said.
Harry just shrugged like it was no big deal.
Jessica showed how good she was when they took on the dummies in various scenarios. Harry could tell she had good training. Her movement to avoid spells was excellent. She was far better than his other friends or anyone else in the DA. The only one he could think of that was close to her in power was Neville, but Neville did not have her training.
He was beginning to think this may be a very good thing having a friend like her on his side.
As the days past, Harry and Jessica became really good friends as they shared every class and spent extra time training together. They also studied together but usually with Ron and Hermione joining, even Neville joined on occasion.
She was more than impressed with Harry's ability with magic. He was definitely a natural in defense and she felt like she was picking up some good techniques just by working with him.
She wasn't the only one learning though. She knew some spells and techniques Harry wasn't familiar with so she shared with him so they both could increase their arsenal. Occasionally, Ron and Hermione would join them but they weren't as devoted so didn't show up as much.
Two months later and after they knew each other even better, they became much closer friends who were constantly seen together. Harry decided to finally reveal to Jessica who he had been admiring for a few years.
It was Daphne Greengrass.
He had a few classes with her and actually worked with her a lot in Ancient Runes on different projects, starting in their third year. She was a very pretty girl with golden blonde hair and bright blue eyes.
Jessica was able to get to know her a little since they were in some of the same classes but she wondered about the girl's barrier she seemed to keep up all the time. She had also heard about the nickname assigned to her. She was called the Ice Queen of Slytherin. In fact, the name was said to have originated in her own house.
She always seemed nice enough to talk to or work with, but she was never emotionally involved with anyone that Jessica could see.
Harry knew for a fact that Daphne was not dating anyone so he decided that he would make a statement by sending her a note via Hedwig during dinner. Everyone would recognize Harry's owl so he knew he would be putting himself out there somewhat. However, he could say what he wanted in a note and see how she felt towards him. He wasn't getting anywhere just sitting on his hands. He needed to take a chance and see if she would at least go out with him.
At dinner, Harry watched nervously as the owls entered the Great Hall. Jessica was sitting right beside him while Ron, Hermione, and Neville sat across from them. He then saw Hedwig so he watched as she winged her way over to Daphne at the Slytherin table. She was sitting as usual next to her friend, Tracey Davis.
Harry saw her talk nicely to Hedwig and pet her before taking the note from her. She then read it.
Daphne,
I finally worked up the courage to tell you that I have admired you from afar for the past few years. I've enjoyed your company in classes and all the time we have spent together, especially when we were able to work closely together in Ancient Runes on a few projects.
I really like you and was wondering if you would like to go with me on a date during the next Hogsmeade weekend? Perhaps we could talk about things not dealing with class and really get to know each other?
Awaiting your response,
Harry Potter
Harry watched as she read it and then seemed to think it over. He crossed his fingers under the table in hopes that she would say yes.
Then she pulled something to write with from her robes and was writing a reply on his note. Harry could only watch. He noticed she never looked up and over at him the whole time. Was she embarrassed? He had never noticed her get embarrassed before though. He waited, somewhat impatiently.
Harry watched as she petted Hedwig again and gave the note to her in her beak, sending her on her way. Hedwig flew straight from Daphne to Harry across the Great Hall with all eyes on her as they followed her path and then stopped on Harry when Hedwig landed in front of him.
This whole time Jessica was watching the scenario unfold before her eyes. She watched as Harry greeted Hedwig and took the note from her. He then opened it and read the reply as Hedwig flew off. He was holding the note below the table. Jessica leaned over a little and peered over his shoulder so she could see it too.
Harry,
While I appreciate your sentiments and have enjoyed working with you too, I'm afraid I can't accept your invitation. I promised myself not to get involved with any boys while at Hogwarts and to simply maintain my grades and get the best education that I can. I'm sorry, but I'm just not available at this time.
Daphne Greengrass
Harry crushed the paper up into a ball and looked dejected. As much as he tried to prepare himself for the chance of getting rejected, it still hit him hard. He really liked Daphne but she just didn't feel the same way, it seems. He was hoping for a girlfriend this year since he was now sixteen, but maybe it wasn't meant to be.
He then realized that pretty much everyone saw what happened. They may not know what was written on the notes but they could probably guess close enough. Then with him sitting there looking like someone kicked his puppy, they probably formed the right conclusion.
His fears were made true when he heard laughter, then looked up and saw Malfoy and his friends pointing and making fun of him. He looked over and saw Daphne's face this time but she still looked as cold as ever with no emotion. Harry looked down then stuffed the wad of paper in his robe pocket as they continued to laugh.
He felt Jessica move beside him and then suddenly she was straddling him and sitting in his lap facing him. He ended up having to scoot back some so she wasn't squished between him and the table. He was surprised so looked at her as she wrapped her arms around his neck and then kissed him for all she was worth.
At least the laughing stopped. In fact it stopped long before Jessica did.
When she pulled back from the kiss with their foreheads touching so they could take a breath, Harry asked, "Jess, what are you doing?"
"I'm kissing you. Now kiss me back before I have to make a bigger scene than we're already making," she told him with her eyes widened and her eyebrows raised.
There were many reactions all across the Great Hall, but most of them were slack-jawed and silent, especially Ron and Hermione sitting across from them. Neville just looked embarrassed. Some of the more observant Gryffindors had been wondering when they were going to kiss. However, they never expected it to happen this way.
It was quite the spectacle.
Malfoy saw what happened and lost his appetite. He had been trying to get Jessica's attention ever since she started at Hogwarts. She always ignored him though. He didn't like that, but this was even worse.
Harry participated by wrapping his arms around her waist and then kissed her back with as much fervor as she was kissing him. He was really starting to get into it too when they heard someone clear their throat behind them.
They stopped and noticed their head of house was standing there with her arms folded in front of her looking at them and she did not look happy. Harry helped to ease Jessica back onto the bench next to him and turned to the professor.
"We're sorry, Professor," Harry told her. "Runaway teenage hormones. You know how it is."
Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows at them as if to say, "Oh, really?"
"Well, I'm sure you can remember at least?" Harry asked quickly.
"I will not be sharing with you, Mr. Potter, nor you, Miss Kelly, anything about my teenage years, no matter how interesting they were. I trust you can behave yourselves now or do I need to conjure a wall between you?" she asked with her usual manner.
"We'll behave, Professor," Jessica said contritely while Harry nodded along.
"See to it!" she told them threateningly then went back to finish her dinner.
The couple did not see the smile and shake of her head McGonagall gave Dumbledore as she went back to her seat.
Through the remainder of dinner Harry and Jessica never said another word to each other, although they gave each other some interesting looks. After they finished eating, they both walked silently to the Room of Requirement like they normally did for training. They didn't say a single word to each other the whole way. Harry walked in front of the wall three times and they entered their usual room configuration.
"What were you thinking when you kissed me in the Great Hall?" Harry asked after the door disappeared.
"I'm here to protect you, Harry, and you looked like you needed protecting from some very mean students."
"So, you were just protecting me from embarrassment? That's all it really was? Well, you failed, Jess, when McGonagall cleared her throat behind us," he said cracking up.
Jessica started laughing too with Harry and joined in with him.
After they trailed off, Jessica said, "That part, I admit, was a bit embarrassing but I wasn't embarrassed at all when we were kissing," she told him. "I actually enjoyed that. You're a good kisser, Harry, at least when I don't surprise you and you kiss back."
"I was really starting to get into it before we were so rudely interrupted," he said smiling.
"So, how are you doing with the whole Daphne situation, Harry?" she asked changing the subject.
"I think I'm coming to the conclusion that I was completely off my rocker to even entertain the idea of asking Daphne Greengrass out on a date. I mean she seems nice, but I don't really know her and we've been going to school together for over five years.
"In all that time, we've never hung out together, we've never spoken about anything besides what we were doing in class, I've never really seen her outside of class besides the Great Hall and she's completely on the other side of the room. This means we never even had a meal together where we sat and talked about whatever while we ate.
"I simply don't know her that well after five years of going to school with her and doesn't that say something? The question is does it say something about her or me?"
"There is definitely something wrong with her and that wall she keeps up, Harry. Plus, the fact that she never allows herself to experience any emotion around people is quite disturbing. I can't even guess what would cause someone to choose to be that way."
"I guess I'm just a simpleton and saw something shiny that I thought I wanted. It took her turning me down to wake me up to reality. Now, I have no desire to date her anymore. I am so pathetic."
Harry turned and went and laid down on his back on the sofa that appeared, thinking it over. Jessica followed and knelt down by his head on the floor so she could talk to him better.
"No you're not, Harry. Don't ever think that. I certainly don't think that," she told him as she ran her fingers through his hair.
Harry took a big breath and let it out.
"You're a good friend, Jess. Thanks for being there for me tonight. I think that kiss really made them wonder. It definitely shut them up."
"I'm glad I could help, Harry," she said still playing with his hair.
"Man, that was some kiss!" he said suddenly after a pause.
"Yes, it was, wasn't it?" she asked as she remembered.
"I keep thinking about it and I can't help thinking that there was more to it than just you wanting to protect me," he said turning his head and looking at her.
"You figured that out did you?" she asked him sweetly.
"It was difficult to miss since the kiss was not anywhere close to being fake."
"Alright, I'll be honest. I also just wanted to kiss you. In fact, I've been wanting to do that for a few weeks now."
"And I was too busy mooning over the Ice Queen," he rolled his eyes and sighed as he turned his head back straight, looking up again.
"She is quite pretty and seems to be polite," she offered.
"She would be so much better if she was more like you."
"Now, you're just teasing me."
"No! I mean it. You're a great person. You're fun to be around and to hang out with. You have quickly become a better friend to me than even Ron or Hermione. Let's not forget that you are also a very good dueler and an excellent training partner."
"But?"
"But, nothing! You are beautiful and sexy and a major distraction!" he said smiling. Then he had an idea so turned his head back to her. "Would you like to go with me on a date during the next Hogsmeade weekend?"
"Don't you need to get over Daphne?"
"She's fading fast and I have no idea, even if she had said yes, that we would have worked out. I think a date with you would speed up the process of moving on. What do you say? Am I going to be turned down for a second time tonight?" he asked worriedly.
Jessica looked like she was thinking it over.
"Well?" he asked.
"I'm thinking," she told him then went back to it.
"Would it help speed up the process if I kissed you again?"
"Harry, that would be cheating because there would be no way I could refuse if you did that."
Harry reached over and pulled her head toward his and laid one on her.
They didn't get any training done that night.
Jessica was sitting in the courtyard all bundled up on one of the benches enjoying some of the cold brisk air. It was the season when things were starting to get really cold. This was common in Scotland where the castle resided.
She was looking over an essay she had to write for Transfiguration to see if she needed to correct anything. She felt like she had been cooped up in the castle for too long and just wanted to breathe some fresh air outside for a while, even if she had to wear layers and bundle up.
Harry was taking longer to write his so he was still in the common room working on it. She told him she would see him a little later as she wanted to read through her essay and get some fresh air at the same time. Plus, it was a Saturday afternoon and only the most studious were working on their homework.
This became even more evident when Draco Malfoy, along with his two bookends, Crabbe and Goyle, appeared before her while she was reading through her essay.
"I've been looking all over for you, Kelly," Malfoy said as he walked up, his friends on each side of him, but slightly behind him.
"Oh, yeh? What do you want?" she asked distracted.
Jessica had been noticing for a while, basically since the Welcoming Feast, the stares and ogling Malfoy constantly did when they were in the same area or room. She was familiar with teenage boys staring at her, because she knew they considered her pretty. However, Malfoy was just creepy about it.
"The Kelly family is an old well-established family so I keep wondering why you would choose to hang out with Scar-head? He's a worthless half-blood that doesn't deserve your attention. I, on the other hand, also come from a very old family so therefore we would be a much better fit."
Malfoy had got her attention so she calmly rolled up her report and put it back in her bag. She then picked the bag up and placed it on the bench beside her before standing up to face Malfoy and his goons.
"I'm not sure where you get your information from, Malfoy, but I happen to know a lot about the Potter family and I know for a fact that they are much older than you French upstarts. My family is very old, older than yours actually, but even we are not as old as the Potters."
Malfoy looked like he was confused, much like his two goons did all the time.
"You see, you have to know the history and since your family didn't originate here but escaped France to come here, then it's likely you never got taught properly about who's who in this area of the world."
Malfoy seemed to be getting angry but she continued.
"First glance, the Potter name only goes back about 800 years while the Malfoy name goes back about a thousand. By the way, the Kelly name goes back about 1,200 years, just in case you're keeping score," she said with a smile.
"But let's get back to the Potters," she continued. "You see early on in the Potter name history, one of their sons married the last daughter of the Peverells. She was the last in her family so the Peverell name, lands, and belongings were incorporated into the Potter family.
"Harry Potter was descended from that union and it just so happens that when you add the Potter family history with the Peverell family history then you come to the staggering conclusion that their family has been around more than twice as long as your family."
She stepped up close to Malfoy with an angry look on her face.
"And if you ever insult Harry Potter again, or any Potter for that matter, where I can hear it, I will make you wish you never heard the name Kelly," she threatened him then slapped him hard.
The sound of the slap made a loud noise in the courtyard. It also left a red mark on Malfoy's face.
Harry and Hermione had walked down to meet up with Jessica and arrived just in time to see her slap Malfoy hard. Hermione started to rush to her aid when Harry stopped her. None of the Slytherins or Jessica knew that they were there yet.
"What if she needs help, Harry?" whispered Hermione, worried.
"Just wait, Hermione. Jess can take care of herself."
Sure enough, they watched as Malfoy raised his hand like he was going to back-hand Jessica across the face, but she shoved him back into his goons who tried to catch him and keep him from falling.
Jessica's wand dropped into her hand quickly from her wand holster and she relieved all of them of their wands before she tied all three up quickly together and watched them fall over. She then turned and laid their wands on the bench before picking up her bag, hanging it on her shoulder, and heading back, never giving the three Slytherins another look.
That's when she saw Harry and Hermione. Hermione had her mouth open at what she just witnessed Jessica do, while Harry was standing beside the shocked girl giving Jessica a golf clap.
Jessica walked right up to Harry and kissed him.
"What was all that with Malfoy?" Hermione asked her as they turned to go back into the castle.
Harry put his arm across Jessica's shoulders as they walked close together. She stuck her thumb through his back belt loop and let her hand just hang there.
"Oh, he was just confused so I had to give him a quick history lesson. Evidently he didn't like my history lesson one bit. I'm not sure why. After all, I was extremely accurate with the information."
"So, why did you slap him?" Hermione asked.
"He insulted Harry and the Potter name. I warned him that he should never ever do that again where I could hear it. I then slapped him to make sure he knew I meant it."
"How did you get your wand out so fast?" Hermione asked.
"Training, Hermione. Lots of training," Harry answered for her as Jessica smiled at him when he looked at her.