Majo Kon-ki The Marriage of Tanya the Witch
(The marriage chronicles of a witch)
Arc 2 - Chamber of Secrets – part 6
December, AD1992, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
"… I am surprised Justin wasn't the first victim after Potter caught him wooing Degurechaff!"
"Aff,we are too late." Tanya thought as she and Harry heard the Hufflepuffs talking in the library.
The two were looking for Justin Finch-Fletchley following the incident where Harry seemingly instigated a serpent to attack him. The idea was to apologize before this sort of rumor started.
"I knew this was going to happen the moment I saw him talking with that snake." The reputation of the Parselmouths was worse than she had read about.
"… Harry, like everyone else, hates Filch… Colin Creevey annoyed him to no end… You-know-who only wanted to get rid of the competition…" Ernie Macmillan was babbling non stop the 'reasons' for the attacks.
"Oh! And let's not forget what Harry did to Flint! He tortured the bloke to gain an advantage in quidditch!"
At this comment, Harry, on a rare occasion, glared at Tanya.
"My 'market campaign' backfired?! What else is going to turn against me?!"
"No! I heard Flint called Degurechaff a bad name!" Hannah Abbott corrected.
"He probably was just showing who is the boss to the pure-bloods!"
"Oh yeah. I guess Harry only petrifies muggle-borns."
"Pff!And Justin doesn't even like Degurechaff that much. He is too easily impressed and Cedric wouldn't shut up about her. 'She is so cute', 'and strong', 'and mysterious'! Bah!"
"Diggory fancies her? Why he don't ask her out?"
"He said that she is still too young to date, but I reckon he is afraid of Harry like all of us."
"I have another fan?! I can't believe-"
Harry had enough and revealed himself in front of the Hufflepuffs, protesting for his innocence.
Ernie Macmillan was the only one brave enough to say anything. The other children were silently shivering and covering their mouths. Again, he babbled another assumption that Harry hates muggles because of his relatives.
"Harry, you are only making things worse. Let me take over." It was time for Tanya to play Harry's 'attorney'.
She expected it to be an easy job as Harry was usually a nice kid. It also helped that he never hinted at being prejudiced.
"… on the contrary, Harry felt for the ones being harassed and that was why he did such extreme action against Flint!"
Once again, Harry glared at her for such blatant lie.
Next, Tanya appealed to their empathy, asking how they would feel in Harry's place. And with their looks of fear changing into pity, she was reaching them.
"Harry is a Parselmouth! And everyone knows they are all dark!" Of course, Ernie Macmillan as the main instigator, wasn't convinced yet.
"Really? Tell me, how many Parselmouths do you know?"
"Eh? Only one?"
"Then, how do you know they are evil in the first place?"
"Slytherin was a Parselmouth and he was bad!"
"If talking with snakes is proof you are evil, by logic, does this mean that if you can't you are not? Let's take Grindelwald for instance, he wasn't a Parselmouth. Or are you going to say that German speaking people are bad too?"
"Ha! Let's see you rebuke this argument!"
"Why are you bringing Grindelwald up?" Megan Jones asked suddenly.
"Just another day you seemed very interested in his symbol!"
"Huh?"
"Y-you are also a German right?"
All the Hufflepuffs' attention shifted to her now.
"J-just wait a moment! I was only giving an example. It's not like I am Grindelwald's lost granddaughter or something of the sort!" Tanya's mocking tone was, unfortunately, lost to them. Like before with Harry, they started to tremble but now because of her.
"Ahhhh! I remember now! I saw you looking at Grindelwald's symbol last year too!" Wayne Hopkins said, before putting some distance from her.
"This is notlooking good!"
"Err, I was just reading about the deathly hallows-"
"It didn't look like you knew that story before Lovegood mentioned it." Ernie recalled.
"Did I just dig my own grave?"
"Is this why Colin Creevey was petrified?" Susan Bones talked for the first time, an accusing tone in her voice.
"I saw him asking permission to see Harry. He said he was sorry for upsetting him and that he found out something 'mind-blowing' about his girlfriend!"
"Great!Not only I didn't convince them about Harry, but I ended up implicating myself! What should I do- !" Tanya felt a, now, very familiar shiver run down her spine.
Her detection skill confirmed the presence of the sinister signature, only it was relatively distant.
"I will end this myself right now!"
"Harry we are leaving!"
"Eh? But-"
"NOW!" Tanya pulled Harry with her. So much was her rush to reach the signature that she didn't realize she was leaving some very scared kids behind.
"Where are we going?"
"Have you heard that voice again? The one saying it was going to kill?"
"No. Why?"
"I felt that presence just now! We are going to prove your innocence! So, hurry!"
Unfortunately, just as they neared a particular dark corridor, the signal vanished.
"I've lost it- Oh, dammit!"
"What are you-"
Lying on the floor was another petrified student. Justin Finch-Fletchley.
In the headmaster's office, Harry was very nervous thinking he would be expelled. He was basically caught in the act!
"Remember what I said last year. If it's decided this is not your place, I will leave with you."
Fortunately, Tanya was there to hold his hand and assure everything would end well, like always.
Even so, it still felt like an enormous weight was lifted when professor Dumbledore told he never believed Harry was responsible for the attacks.
"Phewww! I really thought this time would be over! Specially after his pet blew up in flames!"
The professor still wanted to talk to him. To ask if there was anything he'd like to tell.
Harry felt guilty. Professor Dumbledore trusted him… should he tell about his growing fear of being related to Salazar Slytherin?
While Harry was trying to decide, Tanya spoke first.
"Professor, if you please, I have a few questions…"
"By all means, miss Degurechaff. What is in your mind?"
"Why didn't you order some Mandrakes already? Aren't there some other places they grow? If we depetrify Colin and Justin, they could tell us what really happened."
"That is a good question!"
"I am afraid mandrakes are always in high demand since they can cure many types of bad ailments. After Mr Creevey, we made an attempt to buy the necessary amount. However, we would be taking from the seriously ill, people who have their lives hanging by a thread." Dumbledore explained very calmly.
It made sense. As inconvenient as it would be to be petrified, their lives weren't in danger.
"Why have you hired Lockhart when he is clearly an incompetent buffoon?"
"Eh?" Harry was surprised with Tanya's sudden change of subjects.
"Lamentably, no one else applied for the position. Besides, he does have a great curriculum." The headmaster explained using the same tone as before.
"Do you honestly believe in that nonsense he wrote?"
"All the facts of his books were fully investigated and they match. Those are certainly true events."
"Lockhart is not a farce?" Now, that was shocking!
"What about Quirrell?"
"Professor Quirrell was hired for the same reason. Severus did apply for the position, only I couldn't-"
"Cut the crap! You knew about him and Voldemort!"
"He knew?!" Now, THAT was shocking!
"And what makes you believe I had the faintest knowledge about them?" The headmaster remained impassive. If such an accusation offended him, he didn't let it show.
"Because even I could tell there was something wrong with Quirrell. And professor Snape mentioned that you always know about everything in this castle."
"Severus merely overestimates me. I am, although, impressed with your keen senses. You were able to identify a dark presence within Quirrell, not even other teachers who knew him for years were able to notice."
"Actually, my scar hurt when he had his back turned to me."
"Perhaps, something similar occurred in the Gryffindor girls' shower room?"
"Ah!" Harry saw Tanya gaping for a second. Could the headmaster know what happened that night?
"Don't try to change the subject! You can't manipulate me like you do to Harry!"
"Hey!" Harry tried to protest, but the two were deeply focused on each other.
"I am manipulating Harry? I find it somehow amusing. After all, miss Degurechaff, I know for a fact that you have a hand in many of the incidents around him."
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"Let me remind you. How about when you so eloquently shared the testimony of Harry slaying a troll? Or when you spread rumors about the more recent incident with Mr Flint?"
"D-does he know the truth about Flint?!"
"Flint? Someone told he lost his teeth in an accident. I never heard any rumors about him."
Harry had to hold himself to not call out her lie.
"Didn't you? I see… How about some other rumors? The mysterious disappearance of our poltergeist? Or the strange reports about a certain ghost missing limbs?"
"Didn't he say Snape was overestimating him? To me, it lookslike Tanya is right. He does seem to know about EVERYTHING here!"
"I wouldn't know anything. I never met this Peeves myself. And can ghosts lose limbs?" Tanya used common knowledge in her favor.
"I was just as surprised as any other but, no matter. What truly concerns me, miss Degurechaff, is your interest in a certain SYMBOL."
It could be seen that Tanya was shaken by this last comment. She didn't give a smart reply.
"Are you the one who opened the chamber of secrets?"
"WHAT?!" Now that question startled Harry.
"T-this can't be true! R-right?"
And still, the headmaster was keeping a straight-face.
"Again, I must ask you: what makes you believe I would do such a hideous deed?"
"You are too certain of Harry's innocence. By now, almost everyone believes him to be the culprit. His Parselmouth ability is weighing heavily against him. So, either it's you or you know who it is."
Just for a fraction of a second, there was a small change in Dumbledore's expression.
"I do have a suspect indeed, however, he is not in Hogwarts right now and I could never find any satisfactory evidence. And besides my best efforts, the chamber was never found-"
"Are you trying to kill Harry?"
"Is she trying to pick a fight with him?!" This was the only conclusion Harry reached after such questions.
"Good grief, miss Degurechaff! Do you take me as some sort of monster?" And yet, not even this awful accusation seemed to affect the professor's composure.
"T-Tanya, I think you are going too far-"
"When this year is over, Harry is coming with me to Hastings. I am not leaving him out of my sight ever again."
"!" Harry gaped at her.
"Do not be hasty, young lady!" The boy wasn't the only one affected. This finally seemed to provoke an emotional reaction in the headmaster.
"I can't trust Harry's well-being to the Dursleys. They are cruel to him! I should have denounced them to social service or even the police!"
"That is a necessary evil to ensure his mother's-"
"We don't even know if this 'magical protection' really exists! For all I know, you are just set on making Harry's life miserable!"
"You must understand, the bond of blood charm was the only defense Harry had from the many attempts against his life through the years!"
"Again, we only have your word!"
Seeing that Tanya wasn't being convinced, Dumbledore turned to Harry.
"Harry, my boy, believe in me when I say- Harry…?"
The boy barely heard anything being said. He was spacing out, his mind was set in just one thing:
"Wow! Me and Tanya… living together!" Harry was already picturing it in his mind. The two of them holding hands the entire summer!
Dumbledore blanched. Gone was any serenity from his face after this comment. Instead, he seemed to panic.
"No! You must trust me! If you want to fulfill your destiny-"
"Eh? My destiny?"
"I-I mean, it's your destiny to have a fulfilling life…" After this quickly outburst, the professor took a small breath to recover his composure.
"Nothing happens in this world without a purpose. I know you had a difficult life, but it is all for your own safety. If you won't believe me, then please, believe this was what your mother wished."
Dumbledore didn't have to try too hard to convince Harry. The boy trusted him. He knew the old professor would never let him stay with such people if it wasn't important.
"Ahhhh! And I was really looking forward to living with Tanya!"
Harry looked at Tanya and saw that she had a thoughtful expression for some time now.
"I will protect Harry." She said suddenly.
Harry and Dumbledore seemed equally dumbfounded by her proclamation.
"No matter what happens, or who goes after him. Be it a mysterious monster, the dark lord or even the most powerful wizard of our time… I will protect Harry Potter, whatever it takes!"
Harry was trying hard to hide his blushing face. Apparently, Tanya mistrusted professor Dumbledore but even against a wizard of his caliber she would still fight to protect him.
Without saying anything further, she walked towards the exit.
"Ah! Tanya, wait for me!" As Harry went to follow the girl, he gave a last look to the headmaster.
"Huh? Is he smiling?"
While panic flared on Hogwarts, Tanya was glad she didn't share her experiments with Myrtle or the final destiny of Peeves with anyone else besides Harry and his two friends, looking as Nearly Headless Nick state was what worried people the most.
'Who could be so powerful in the dark arts to harm even a ghost?' For Tanya's sake, it would be best if this question was left unanswered.
"Dumbledore already knows but if he wanted to cause any troubles, he would already have done so."
At least Tanya finally got a weight off her mind. The headmaster wasn't trying to kill Harry.
'No! You need to trust me. If you want to fulfill your destiny-' This slip was all she needed to ascertain that he wasn't a foe.
Not that she considered him an ally either, however Dumbledore is too powerful both magically and politically to have as an enemy. Their conversation was a testimony to his impeccable guard. No matter what Tanya said or insinuated, the headmaster would keep that same tranquility in his face. Instead, HE was making the girl nervous by citing her affairs, things that only few people should know!
"But how did he learn about Harry and Voldemort?" Sadly, Tanya couldn't trouble herself trying to figure this out now since she had other problems.
It seemed that she really did dig her own grave. The Hufflepuffs spread a rumor that she and Harry were working together to get rid of all muggle-borns. He, as the heir of Slytherin, and she, as the long lost descendant of Grindelwald.
"Sheesh!Now that I think back,from the way I left the library, it felt like I was running away."
Moreover, what turned out to be most frustrating was Christmas day!
Molly Weasley was very grateful for Tanya's advice, since her husband was considered free of charge of bewitching a muggle car for lack of evidence.
Tanya was pleased, it was always good to have people owning her favors. The problem was how the Weasley matriarch wanted to repay. She mentioned how interested her two older sons were after seeing Tanya's picture. Not to say that she received, with a cake, a yellow jumper with the letters 'T' and 'W' together! Anyone could guess what both stand for…
Much to her relief, Ron gave the good news that his brothers weren't into little girls and anything they said was to please their mother or she was merely exaggerating their reaction.
"As long as I don't find myself tricked into an omiai…"
But after all of this, it was her unanswered wish that left her sullen.
"I know it was too much to ask to find a new hallow at Christmas again but… Sob! I really held onto hope!"
The cloak of invisibility was the sole hallow Tanya found so far, and only by a coincidence. With the dissolution of her study group and now with the entire school afraid of her, she had no contacts to offer any clue of the remaining artifacts. Now, finding the one responsible for the attacks has become her main concern.
"Time to use my 'secret weapon'." Tanya wasn't going to ask anything about the chamber of secrets to professor Snape fearing to put him in a bad spot. She however, had no one else to turn to.
He has been urging to talk privately with her for some time now, but their schedules conflicted in those last weeks.
"What is so important he couldn't discuss during our meals together?"
"Miss Degurechaff- no, Tanya. You know you can talk with me about anything, right?" The professor asked the instant she arrived in his office.
"Something wrong, sir?"
"I heard some stories about you. About your origins…"
"Did he findout- Wait! I saw this movie before! Last time I thought Luna had found out about me, she made up some crazy story!" And he didn't betray her suspicions.
"A PRINCESS?! ME?!"
"Luna says I am a crumple horned Snorckack, the students believe I am Grindelwald's heir, and now… Lucius Malfoy thinks that I am a pure blood princess plotting world domination!"
Tanya let out a heavy sigh.
"What- Just what is wrong with these people? Does magic makes your mind run wild? So far the only one to guess right about me was that moron Ron!" She rolled her eyes.
"And what with those strange sets of coincidences?"
A thought came to her.
"Could this story also exist in that other world? Maybe the Empire would've guessed my relation with this Degretschow and believed I was planning an insurrection!"
It fits with the sort of plan that overly deluded poltergeist would think!
"Please, answer me. Is any part of this story true? Do you wish to take over the world?!" The professor asked with a serious tone in his voice she hadn't heard since they first met five years ago.
She could see why professor Snape would even consider this tale to be true. It offered many explanations to her considerable suspicious behavior.
"Even I would be suspicious if I saw a little girl like me! I knew I should've acted more like my 'age' and 'sex', but it's so hard and embarrassing!"
Tanya was about to explain the absurdity of this story when an idea came to her mind.
"What if I am?"
The professor gasped. She was startled as he motioned to take out his wand only to stop midway.
He kept looking at her with a troubled expression, and then just shrugged.
"In this case, I only ask for you to put me down first." His answer had a sad tinge. She could understand his meaning. He didn't want to fight her, and if she should betray him, better to be now.
The girl smirked in her mind. She wanted to see what his reaction would be. Now she was sure she had a loyal and devoted 'employee'!
"Sir, I am not trying to take over the world. My intentions are exactly the ones I told you in the past: to graduate and find myself an honest and preferably high paying job." If she doesn't find the deathly hallows first, of course.
"Really…?"
"For all I know, this story is just a fairy tale."
He seemed convinced, as tension left his features.
"My apologies. To think I would let Lucius Malfoy, of all people, make me doubt you! Humpf!"
"He has too much free time if you ask me. Should I be worried?"
The professor let out a chuckle.
"On the contrary! He now fears you even more than the dark lord. Especially after I confirmed his fantasies right."
"You did WHAT?!"
The professor rationalized it would be for the best in the long run if Malfoy believed she was someone of high importance. As it could become ugly to her if, after all his labor researching, he discovers she is a 'nobody'. It could inspire another petty revenge just like the one that destroyed Degretschow in the first place.
"If I know him, he won't bother you. As a matter of fact, now that you got promoted to a pure-blood princess, he may wish to take your hand for Draco."
"Like I don't have enough problems!"
"Well, would it be so bad?"
"Eh?"
"Think about it. Draco may act like an arrogant prick, yet he is easily scared. You would rein the relationship. The Malfoys are very wealthy, you could have an easy and comfortable life."
"N-not in a million years! Besides, Harry wouldn't approve anyway!" She said smiling, remembering that he was now her faithful 'watch dog'.
The professor twisted his mouth at the mention of his most detested student.
"Now that we are clear about that 'fairy tale', I have something to ask."
"Oh, and what can I do for you miss… Grindelwald?"
"You just answered your own question!"
Tanya told the professor how this misunderstanding started.
"I need to clear my name, or nobody is ever going to trust me again!" Not that it was that important how people saw her but without contacts, it will be hard to look for the hallows.
"Lamentably, I highly doubt this rumor will be forgotten any time soon."
"Then it became imperative that I prove my innocence."
"And how do you pretend to do that?"
"For starters, I need you to tell me everything you know about the chamber of secrets."
Quite hesitantly, the professor spoke. He knew she would need whatever advantage she could get.
"How someone named Tom Riddle become known as Lord Voldemort?" This and many other questions were in Tanya's mind while she looked for Harry to share her recent findings.
She finally found the boy with his two inseparable friends in Myrtle's bathroom.
"I was looking for you everywhere! Why are you- Huh?" Tanya was intrigued by seeing Hermione filling a glass with something seemingly disgusting.
"Why are you three here? And what are those for?" She pointed to their glasses and the cauldron on the floor.
They looked at each other as if to confirm something and gulped down their glasses.
"W-what are you doing?! STOP!" When Tanya grabbed Harry, his cup was already empty.
"Sorry Tanya! It's my time to protect you!"
"If he wants to protect me, why can't he just accept my invitations to train? No! He has to play hero and hope I will save him again!"
"What have you done?! What sort of substance is this- Wait! Could this be why Hermione took that book of potions a month ago?"
Their silence only confirmed her worst fear.
"YOU MORONS! Those potions are extremely dangerous! Just the wrong amount of an ingredient could cost-"
"ACK! I-I think I am gonna be sick!" Ron said and rushed to one of the cubicles.
"BLEH! Me too!" Then Hermione took another.
And Harry just fell over.
"Harry?! NO!" Tanya ran to his side.
"It's impossible for him to die if not by Voldemort's hands but there is nothing saying he can't become a cripple or a vegetable!"
The boy was wriggling on the floor, his look indicating he was in great pain.
"Please, Harry! You need to be alright! Please!"
"Not before you kill Voldemort, you stupid brat!" Tanya could just watch and hold the boy, unable to do anything.
"P-professor Snape! He will- Eh?!"
Harry's spams stopped, but now he looked like one of Malfoy's goons. And from inside the stalls came goon number two.
"What the- What is this? Polyjuice?"
"Y-yeah, sorry if I scared you."
"Explain! What are-"
"No! The potion will wear off soon! Go!" Hermione yelled without showing herself.
Very quickly, Harry/Goyle entered one of the stalls and changed into Slytherin robes.
"What about you Hermione?" Ron/Crabble asked.
"You go on without me."
"Wasn't we supposed-"
"Hurry! You are wasting time!"
Noticing the urgency in her voice, Harry/Goyle and Ron/Crabble rushed out of the bathroom.
"Wait! You two- Bah!" They were already gone.
"Hermione! Care to explain what the hell is happening?" Tanya asked in front of her cubicle.
The older girl's answer was amusing to say the least.
"I don't know if Draco opened the chamber this time, but his father is innocent."
"What?! How do you know?"
"Because the last time the chamber was opened was fifty years ago. He wasn't born yet."
"You already knew and never said anything?"
"I just found out. I asked-" Tanya stopped, she pondered it was better to keep professor Snape's name out of this.
"… a friend. A graduate told me everything!"
"Oh! I -I see."
"If you had told me what you were planning to do, I would've explained this was unnecessary danger! Argh! This is the philosopher's stone all over again!"
"Sorry…"
"And to think that you dared to reprehend me for reading a book about the dark arts!"
"That was different!"
"Hold on! That incident with fireworks in potions class! It's how you got the ingredients! Professor Snape was furious!"
"Forgive us! You need to understand Harry was getting desperate!"
"I know. He is being accused of being the heir-"
"NO! That's not it! Harry is afraid of who the next victim could be since… the one he loves the most is a muggle-born."
"Eh?"
There was silence for a full minute.
"Is she talking about herself? Only one way to find out."
"And this muggle-born certainly loves him back…" Tanya stated instead of asking.
"OH, YES! I knew it! With all my heart!"
"Ho-ho! She loves him with all her heart? I saw the sign at the start of the year but I thought it would take longer to develop. Could this be the suspension bridge effect? Either way, if he is happy with a girl, he may be too busy to look for trouble! Also, people would stop saying I amhis girlfriend!"
"And does Harry know? That he has a girl patiently waiting for his confession?"
She heard Hermione groan.
"Deep down, he knows. But I think those relatives messed his head in the matters of love. He won't believe that someone fancies or even loves him so much!"
"Hum… couldhe have an inferiority complex?"
"Maybe, if you talked with him?" Hermione proposed.
"Definitively no!"
"Asides everything I already do, I also need to match him with a girl?! Seriously?!"
"Children his age usually only have fleeting crushes! If I am to be involved, he must prove his resolve into fulfilling all the obligations a relationship demands!"
A relationship is a long-term, high-risk investment with the female's side being the most vulnerable. He, as the boy, has the obligation to show his utmost commitment.
"Besides, if someone with low self esteem gets a girlfriend too easily, he might start to enjoy just fooling around. He could eventually even come after me!"
Tanya heard Hermione laughing hard.
"Oh Tanya! You are exactly as I thought- Meow!"
"Huh?"
"…"
"… is a cat in there with you?"
"I-I meowde a grave meowstake!"
"What do you mean-"
Hermione walked out of the cubicle.
"… next time you intend to do something of the sort, just let me know first, okay?"
"Okay, sob, meow…" Hermione/cat nodded her head.
"Did you learn anything in your little adventure?" Tanya asked when Harry and Ron returned to Myrtle's bathroom.
"Yes! It was not-"
"… not Draco Malfoy and neither his father as the chamber was opened fifty years ago."
"Eh? How do you know?"
"A friend told me everything there is to know about the chamber."
Harry and Ron just gaped at her.
"D-does this mean that getting the book, stealing the ingredients, preparing the potion, breaking into the Slytherin dorms… in sum, EVERYTHING we did this last month was…"
"… all for nothing? Yup!"
"Argh!"
"Well, dad will be happy when I tell him where the Malfoys keep their dark arts stuff. Mum said he is sad that no gnomes have been showing up lately."
"Ugh!" Tanya could tell this small comment was directed at her.
"A-anyway, you two are very lucky to be back to normal! What if you had ended up like Hermione?"
"Hermione? What happened to her?"
Tanya described Hermione's 'hairy' problem.
"Pffff! She has a tail?!" Ron was trying hard to not laugh.
"Y-yeah. Madam Pomfrey said she will need a few weeks to be fully restored to her original appearance."
Harry sighed.
"And we still don't know who is the heir. But Malfoy said someone was sent to prison. Do you know who-"
"Hagrid."
"WHAT?!"
"Rubeus Hagrid was the one accused of attacking muggle-borns and even killing a girl."
"That's… that's bonkers!"
"Hagrid would never-"
"Slow down! I said he was accused, not that it was him."
"Right, only it means we are still at square zero."
"Not exactly. Harry, the chamber was opened fifty years ago. Doesn't this date ring any bells?"
"Huh? No."
"What? You didn't even research about your greatest enemy?"
"My greatest enemy? Malfoy? Snape?"
"How can you be so dense?! Fifty years ago Voldemort attended Hogwarts! Don't you think this is too much of a coincidence?"
Neither Harry nor Ron could find the courage to ask Hagrid about the events of fifty years ago, fearing their big friend might get upset with them.
Without further attacks, Valentine's day arrived, a day Tanya missed in her former life since the salaryman with his good looks always got a good share of chocolate every year. Those good times reminded her that she was a girl now, meaning she would be the one to give chocolate.
It annoyed her to no end the idea of giving chocolate to other people, but she had to show Harry Potter how much she 'cared' about him. Needless to say that Tanya presented him a square box (not a heart shaped one!) with the word 'obligation' written very big on it.
But as Harry looked puzzled at her present, she recalled this was a tradition of Japan. On this side of the world, the holiday was celebrated differently.
"How could I have forgotten? I am definitely tired." The possibility of the specter Voldemort being the culprit behind the attacks, urged Tanya to push harder her research with Myrtle. Her focus in the work was so great that she got caught by a prefect when returning to her dormitory at a very late hour.
Tanya understood she made these mistakes from overwork, and decided to take a break for the rest of the day.
Or it was what she thought of doing. Hermione came to her saying how happy Harry would be for getting a sung message from his 'beloved'.
"Why does she think I can help in these matters?"
Still, Tanya couldn't find a good reason to say no and Hermione ended up doing most of the work anyway.
"Hermione is braver than she looks. I would be very embarrassed to send such a silly message under my name."
A few hours later, the little girl was enjoying a book in the Gryffindor common room.
"T-Tanya!"
"So much for a bit of peace!"
"Hello, Harry."
"Err, I got, you know, two messages from Lockhart's dwarfs today!"
"Two? Did Hermione send another?"
"I think Ginny was the one who sent the first…"
"Really? My, my. Aren't you popular?"
"I still think that Hermjone would be a better girlfriend though."
"I-I just wanted to say I… I l-liked the second one much more!"
"Oh! I see."
"Does this mean that myproblematic 'little brother'is settling- Huh? Why is he looking so nervous?"
Harry took a deep breath, as if trying to find courage to say something.
"Tanya! Hermione told me a-about the message and… a-and what you two talked about a few months ago!"
"Wow! That girl is more daring than I thought."
"I… I AM SORRY! I am not ready to have a girlfriend! Or do those THINGS couples are supposed to do! Just the other day, Percy talked to me. Ron called it 'the talk' and he said couples do awful things together!"
"He only learned about 'the facts of life' now?!"
"I CAN'T BE A FATHER YET!"
"Whoa! Calm down Harry! No one wants to force you to do anything!"
"T-then… what about my o-obligation?!"
Tanya sighed. She would need to get involved after all.
She got up and looked the boy right in his eyes.
"Harry, what are your feelings?"
"M-my f-f-feelings?!"
"Tell me right here! Right now! How do you feel about the sender of the message?"
"Y-you mean Ginny or-"
"You know very well who we are talking about!"
"Just settle down with Hermione already, you brat!"
"C-can't I just think about it for some time?"
"Think about what? A girl embarrasses herself by sending a love confession and you can't even give a proper answer?! I didn't know you were such a coward!"
"It's embarrassing enough just to help make that thing, imagine how Hermione must feel!" Tanya thought, a small blush in her face.
"Just say the words already! How do you feel?"
"I… I… I…!"
Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"I REALLY AM IN LOVE!" Harry shouted and looked shyly at her.
"Hmm… he seems sincere. I don't think he will chase more girls, but I will still keep an eye open."
"See? This is how you get a girlfriend."
Harry widened his eyes.
"I-I have a girlfriend?!"
Tanya just smiled at him.
"More like a'leash' that only I can pull!"
"… what… I… do… now?" Harry seemed dazed, like he spent all his strength into confessing.
She took his hand in hers.
"Love your girlfriend the way only you can."
"Bleah! So cheesy!"
"… is… it… enough?"
"You have an entire life ahead of yourself, take each step at your own pace."
"… okay." Harry finally relaxed his expression.
"Just don't forget you must make it official."
"Official?"
"Admitting was only the first part, you still have to-"
"E-E-EXCUSE ME!" Harry quickly ran to his dormitory.
"… tell Hermione- Hey!" The boy didn't even let her finish!
Harry slammed closed the door of his dorm. His mind was so fog, like all events of today happened with someone else.
"Did I just ask Tanya out and she said yes?!"
"A-and how this is made official? Could it be with snogging or making babies?!"
Harry shuddered as his mind returned to a certain afternoon when he was taught about 'the birds and the bees'. He didn't even remember how this topic was brought up, only that he mentioned his belief that babies came from couples who snogged too much. The boy couldn't remember seeing Ron laughing so hard before.
"W-wait! Is that serious?! Do you really think people are born that way?!" As Harry nodded his head, he had to stand Ron laughter for a bit longer until finally snapping.
"FINE! So I don't know! You tell me, then! How are people born?"
Ron's laughter ceased immediately. In its place, he had the same expression of fear when he discovered Tanya was the infamous 'acromantula girl'.
"Y-y-you want me to give you the talk?!"
"Of course I want to talk-"
"No! I mean 'the talk'! You know, that stuff fathers tell their sons and mothers tell their daughters." Ron seemed very uncomfortable.
"Only that dad sneaked out! So mum talked with… me!" No, not uncomfortable, he was unmistakably distraught.
"So, the normal would be for the father to talk with the son and the mother with the daughter?"
"Err, in most cases. But after what happened with Ginny, I think it will be best if mum never does it again!"
Somehow, Harry understood he shouldn't ask what happened with the youngest Weasley.
"And…?"
"What?"
"… are we going to 'talk'?"
"NO! NEVER!"
Harry was now confused.
"Blood hell! It's very important for you to understand! What should I- Ah! I have an idea! Wait here."
Ron ran out of their room and Harry waited for almost ten minutes until a Weasley came back.
"Harry! Ron told me you injured yourself!" Percy Weasley rushed in, looking very worried.
"Huh? Hey, you don't look like-"
There was a loud banging noise, and both boys turned to see that someone had closed the door. A second later, they heard the sound of locking.
"Ron? Is that you? Why are you locking the door? And Harry doesn't look like he needs my help-"
"He does!" Ron's voice came from the other side of the door.
"Sorry Percy. Harry needs you to have t-the 'TALK' with him."
"!" Percy paled, pure horror in his eyes.
"RON! OPEN UP THIS DOOR! I AM NOT GOING THROUGH THAT AGAIN!"
"You are the right person for the job. I didn't forget mum saying you have a girlfriend."
"I-I already told you, I said it so she wouldn't try to force me to ask Degurechaff out!"
"As if! I saw you with that Ravenclaw prefect!"
"T-there is a good explanation-"
"Percy! You are a prefect and a student needs your help, therefore GO HELP HIM! I am not letting you out until you carry out your RESPONSIBILITIES!" Said Ron in the most serious tone Harry had ever heard him.
The word 'responsibilities' seemed to convince Percy as he hesitantly turned to Harry with a look of pure venom in his eyes.
"P-Percy?!"
"Harry, just like mum did to me, I am going to introduce you to hell!"
For a moment Harry felt nauseous as the memories of what Percy told him that day came back.
"All parentsreally do… do… THAT?!"
Harry was already disgusted with couples in general for making him remember an episode where his uncle and aunt were passionately snogging. Now, the boy was certain he would never have a girlfriend! However, quite ironically on Valentine's day, he found out that his two female friends had other plans.
The day started with the strangest action from Tanya. She never shared any sweets and yet, he received a chocolate box from her! And what was the word 'OBLIGATION' on it supposed to mean?
Then, as if a sung message from those dwarfs was not enough, he got a second just afterwards!
'In your eyes I can sense tenderness,
I can feel your gentleness…
with a touch, oh, so kind,
It brings me peace of mind,
And yet it wakens in me a heat never felt before,
Let it be known that in my heart, it's you who I adore!
By Tanya Degurechaff.'
The prat Malfoy made it very clear Ginny was the sender of the first message but the second was Tanya's?!
Everyone who was laughing before was now silent. Like Harry, they could not believe Tanya would send such an awkward poem.
No. There was someone giggling. Hermione.
"See what I told you, Harry?"
"Tanya really sent this message?!"
"I helped a little, but the intention is clear. Or you still think she wants to be your 'sister'?"
Harry realized Hermione set this up to force him to acknowledge Tanya's interest in him.
"M-maybe it was a joke-" Harry murmured, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"'Joke'? Harry! Stop lying for yourself!" Hermione stopped giggling and looked deadly serious now.
"That day in Myrtle's bathroom, when I was… you know, she confessed that she was 'certainly' in love with you! And that she is patiently waiting for your confession!"
"B-but she never said anything!"
"Have you forgotten what I told you last year? She is too proud to say aloud how much you mean to her."
Again, Harry recalled how Tanya was unusual with her human interactions by how she acted around Luna.
"Besides, she is not convinced you are serious about her. She said that you have to be ready for all the obligations that accompany a relationship."
"O-OBLIGATION?! Is that what the box meant?"
"W-what sort of obligation?"
"I don't know exactly. Tanya was raised by nuns, maybe it's ENGAGEMENT? She wants to be sure you will MARRY her someday?"
Those words proved to be the last drop. Harry did what any boy would do in his place: run away!
"H-Harry?! Stop! You can't escape-"
Harry couldn't listen! Wouldn't listen anymore! Because Hermione, like always, was RIGHT! Tanya was IN LOVE WITH HIM! He had no more doubt about this fact.
"I am gonna hide in the dorms! At least until this day is over- Oh crap!" Right in the common room was HER.
Tanya had a serene expression while reading a book. She was so distracted that she didn't notice him. He was about to turn around but stopped in his tracks.
"She was so brave sending that message. I should at least answer back."
In the end, he decided to explain he just couldn't answer her feelings. Not today, but maybe in a few years when he was ready to be a father.
However, it seemed like Tanya had enough.
"Tell me right here! Right now! How do you feel about the sender of the message?"
"WHAT DOES SHE WANT ME TO SAY?! Will she leave me if I-" He saw her blushing face. Harry realized Tanya was probably even more nervous than him and yet she was seriously opening up!
"Unlike me, her feelings aren't half-hearted."
The boy suddenly felt very ashamed of himself. Why was he so afraid? Wasn't he the one who wished so much for someone to always be with him?
Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. There was only one answer he could give:
"I-I REALLY AM IN LOVE!" He shouted and suddenly felt like all strength left his body.
"See? This is how you get a girlfriend."
Harry threw himself in his bed feeling totally spent. A bit of sleep would take his mind out of the fact that Tanya was now his girlfriend-
He slowly reopened his eyes.
"Wait… Tanya is my girlfriend?"
He blinked.
"My girlfriend… Tanya is my girlfriend…"
And he kept repeating 'Tanya' and 'girlfriend' over and over again.
A wave of happiness washed over him.
"Tanya is my girlfriend!" He couldn't understand why he felt so giddy! Where was all that fear he felt only a minute ago?
"I can't calm down! I need to tell somebody, anybody… no, EVERYONE!" Unluckily, Harry was alone in the dormitory.
"Should I just shout- Ah!"
He looked at Riddle's diary.
"Well, it would be a shame to throw away a blank notebook."
Harry opened the book. Although he knew it was kind of silly, his intention was to write 'Tanya & Harry' over and over in it.
He started with a 'dear diary' when the letters just shone and vanished.
"What?"
And in its place:
'Hello. My name is Tom Riddle. Who would you be?'
AN: Thank you all who favorited this story, it has reached two hundred favorites!
Hum…! I am not too satisfied how this chapter turned! Still think that something is amiss… But time is against me. I need to start the draft for Arc 3 before November. And there is the next interlude that I really don't know what I am going to do!
Harry and Tanya started to date in this chapter. Were you expecting this? Neither I! Seriously, they were not supposed to ever date, but somehow, this chapter gained a live of its own. I really wonder when Tanya will realize her mistake…
The thing about the mandrakes curing many types of bad ailments was made up by me. It's just… why no one ever ordered the mandrakes in the original story? They only grow in Hogwarts? Does someone have a good explanation for this?
Omiai is a Japanese traditional custom which relates to matchmaking. And I may have Mrs Weasley try to do this with Tanya and Bill in the future.
Japanese women are expected to gift chocolate on Valentine's Day depending on the kind of relationship they have with the recipient. In this chapter, Tanya gives to Harry the 'obligation chocolate', something mean to be given to male friends, bosses, family members or work colleagues. In other words, it's something very far from a declaration of love.
Crumple horned Snorckack, Grindelwald's heir, a pure blood princess and, of course, Harry Potter's girlfriend. Tanya is accumulating lots of titles in this story, but I believe she will only get one more.
Next chapter: Tanya will revisit an old nightmare…
Reviews:
Hmyes: Thank you very much.
Random65: Thank you, but I am better now. The chat with Snape and Lucius was supposed to be something for the third arc, and with McGonagall and Flitwick, and instead of Ginny and Colin, it was to be Fred and George. Hahaha, now that was some change.
Tanya von Degurechaff: You saw nothing yet…
Lubber: Thank you my fellow countryman.
Wedgegeck: I have something special planned for both Dobby and Lucius before this arc is over…
Terrmilion: Thank you very much.
Setokayba2n: This hesitation to kill will bring great disasters to this group. Also, about the forbidden section, Hermione will keep an eye on her to make sure she is not learning more dark spells.
Duked: It would be nice indeed… but this way is more fun!
RedOuroboros: Thank you.
Ocansino: Don't worry, Luna will be back very soon. About Riddle buying the whole princess story, you will see in the next chapter. And the love letter had a big impact in their story as you can see. Even I couldn't anticipate how big this impact would be!
Green Espada: Thank you.
Indbrony: Thank you, the idea was to add something new to a youjo senki fanfiction.