A/N: Just casually going to come in and throw in this chapter, pretending like my three-month break didn't exist. Go ahead and tell me off in the reviews ; )


Chapter 37: School Gossip

September 14, 1998

It was usually two weeks after the start of Hogwarts when the majority of both new and returning students settled into the new atmosphere. And it really was a 'big' change. Telephones and any other electric devices were useless in the castle. Which left students with only one thing to do in spare time. Socialise!

Harry seemed to see gazing eyes in every corner of every corridor he traversed. It made him feel extremely self-conscious. Lessons were rather difficult and teachers were even more demanding of attention. Harry missed Ron. It wasn't the same without his red-haired best friend. There were times when the two of them could kill minutes in every class. Now his desk companion was an incredibly bright and focused witch who seemed to be in a form of trance in every single lesson. Harry was quick to realise that Hermione wasn't just trying to achieve her NEWTs; she was aiming to ace every single mark.

Homework was long and incredibly dull. Essays have become longer than ever before to the point where one-seventh year had their typewriter owled from home to make writing faster.

Even Quidditch stopped being as fun as it used to. And it was mostly due to the fact that Harry was a captain of a brand new team. There were only a couple faces which he remembered which meant that trials had to be organised. Similarly to his sixth year, a lot of students came to apply. And just like last time, the majority didn't really come for the sport. Back when he first joined the team himself, everyone was older by at least two years. Now, he was the oldest one and the majority of faces standing in front of him were complete strangers.

In all of the crowds that arrived, Harry was able to spot Maria too. At first, he thought she came simply because Ginny was on the team. But Harry was quick to find out that Maria wanted to actually apply for the team. Harry was sceptical at first, but once she mounted the broom… well, things changed.

Maria decided to fill in as a new keeper. Let's just say that Ron even with Felix felicis wouldn't help to compete with her. She started off slow, pacing herself around the main hoop in the centre. But once Harry asked Ginny to step up her throws, Maria was flying all over the defence. She was basically everywhere at once. Harry was also shocked to see her on a brand new Nimbus 2007. Of course, nothing on the pitch could even dare compete with Harry's Firebolt supreme, but damn 2007 was fast. Harry was also confused as to why Maria would apply for the keeper, but broad shoulders could easily be replaced with speed. Oliver Wood was proof of that.

Once the team landed back on the pitch, Harry shook Maria's hand and congratulated her. He'd never predict that she would be into sports. Especially with her overly straight hair. But then again, sports was starting to become very much unisex when it came to Quidditch. After a brief analysation of the new list, Harry was quick to realise that almost half of his team were girls from sixth and seventh years. Every time he shook hands with a new team member, he always took a peek at Hermione at the stands. She was accompanied by Luna. Both of them seemed very busy reading overly large books, although he could notice Hermione glancing over a couple times.

Once the trials were over and a new team was set. Harry handed the list to Ginny who was now pretty much his co-captain and instructed her to take the list to McGonagall.

"What do you think of the team?" Ginny asked.

Harry shrugged, "Honestly, they all seem pretty solid. I'm just glad I didn't have to compete"

Ginny laughed, "Are you joking? You're one of the best seekers this team has ever had. I doubt there'd be anyone dumb enough to compete for your role."

"I actually thought you would," Harry answered.

"Why?" Ginny looked puzzled.

"Well… you did really well last time you played seeker. I thought you would try to compete."

Ginny shook her head, "Nah. I prefer being the chaser. There's more teamwork and it's definitely less tense. People don't rely on you as much."

As she finished, Hermione and Luna arrived at the centre.

"So how did it go?" Hermione asked.

"Went fine, I think." Harry informed, "We'll see at practice, I guess."

They started walking back to the castle when Maria and a small group of her followers emerged from the changing rooms. "Hey, Harry!" She called.

Harry stopped and waved, "Hey. You did well today. We'll see you at practice next week."

"Sure thing." She answered and smiled, "Would you guys mind if we walk back with you?"

Harry turned back to his friends. Luna and Hermione both smiled invitingly. Although there was something about Hermione's eyes that caught Harry's attention. He's seen that look before. Ginny shrugged, clearly not bothered.

"Yeah sure. Why not." Harry informed as they paced towards the castle together.

They walked a couple metres when Harry took hold of Hermione's hand and slowed down slightly allowing for them to separate from the group.

"Everything alright?" Harry asked.

Hermione turned to look at him. "Of course, why do you ask?"

Harry shrugged, "I don't know. Just checking. You've been pretty stressed recently."

Their distance to the group started to increase as they fell behind slightly. Hermione's hand left his and started to wrap around his entire arm. "Yeah… It's just the work I guess. I don't remember it ever being this hard."

Harry chuckled, "Wait. You, Hermione Granger, thinks the work is… hard?"

Hermione laughed with him, "Yep. Honestly, there's just so much."

"Well if anyone could ever ace it, it would definitely be you. I've been trying my best to keep you as focused as possible. I know I can be quite the distraction."

Hermione giggled, "the best kind." Her grip on Harry's arm tightened.

"Just don't stress yourself out too much, okay?" Harry told her.

"I'll try." She answered. Something about her posture felt uncomfortable. She wasn't fully relaxed like she used to be before. She looked like she was ready to jump away from him at any moment.

They sped up slightly to catch up with the group.

"All caught up about the last 2 hours?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah. Just about." Harry answered, enthusiastically. He always enjoyed when Ginny joked around with them. It made him feel just that little bit better. Ginny had a really rough first couple of weeks, mostly because of all the rumours around the castle.

Last time Harry left Hogwarts, he was known to be in a relationship with Ginny. Now he's come back, and everyone has been getting small updates from both of them.

People have swarmed Ginny in the past, asking her secrets about Harry. Trying to figure out if any of the rumours were true. Harry remembered some of them to be rather inappropriate ones. However this year, Ginny was having some extra issues, as she was still known to be 'Harry Potter's girlfriend.'

Whenever people came up to her to ask questions, she would have to turn them down and clarify that she's no longer with him. The information spread through the castle like the common cold. Eventually, everyone was informed and up to date. People started to speculate what could have happened, and why. Students were also left to ponder whether The Chosen One has found himself a new girlfriend.

Harry thought it wouldn't be long before the school figured out that he and Hermione were dating. But the thing was that Harry was known to spend a lot of time with Hermione his entire school life, so whenever they saw them together, it didn't really bring up and question marks. What didn't help was the fact that everyone believed Hermione was actually still dating a certain red-haired Weasley. So people never really came around to put two and two together. This only escalated to even more gossips and rumours.

Ginny and Luna were the ones who heard all of them. According to Luna, Harry was now the most discussed topic in school. Everyone wanted to know pretty much everything.

At this point, the rumours were so extensive that Harry himself had already lost track. In the end, however, something good came out of it as at least Ginny started to look a bit happier recently. All of the rumours about Harry's dating life took a lot of pressure off of her and Harry was happy to take that sacrifice. But it didn't make it any less strange in any case. Every corridor he passed, he'd be met with curious glares, giggles and usually loud whispers too. The biggest news right now was that Harry Potter was single. Of course, some people knew that Harry was with Hermione. Ginny, Neville, Luna and some of the other prefects. But all of them decided to not engage in the 'Harry Potter rumours' and they all kept quiet. Not that Harry would care anyway. He had nothing to hide. But he wasn't in the mood for making any announcements either.

Harry had to admit that being admired and attractive to all the girls in school was quite a large booster of personal ego. Although deep down inside, he knew that none of these girls actually liked him for who he was as a person, but rather what he achieved, and how famous he was. That made everything a lot less fun. Either way, Harry didn't care because the woman of his dreams was already with him, and she's been with him through all of it. The bad, the good, and the magical.

They arrived at the castle just in time for Dinner. But Hermione stopped just before the entrance.

"What is it?" Harry asked.

She let go of his arm, "I'm not very hungry."

Harry knew something was wrong now. And it wasn't school work either. "Okay. Do you want to go to the common room?" Large crowds of students were moving past them, all making their way into the great hall.

"Harry, don't be ridiculous. You go ahead and eat. I'll wait for you upstairs." She informed.

Harry shook his head, "I'm not hungry." That was a lie, of course. He was always hungry after Quidditch practice. But this was a lot more important.

Hermione seemed hesitant for a while, then nodded, "Alright fine. Let's go to the common room."

They walked to the seventh floor in silence. Hermione's hand didn't rejoin with his on the way back. Harry was starting to become nervous. Before Hermione was able to sit down at the couch, Harry gripped Hermione's hand and started to lead her upstairs to the dorms.

"Harry, what are you doing?"

"Just come with me." He answered.

They walked inside his room and Harry closed the door. He placed both hands on Hermione's shoulders and looked deep into her eyes.

"You're going to tell me what's wrong. Right now, Hermione."

She stared at him for a couple seconds, but then her eyes started to alter and her strong posture was breaking apart in front of him.

"It's stupid."

Harry shook his head, "I don't care. It's bothering you, therefore it's bothering me. I want to know."

She looked back at him, "It's just all these rumours. They're starting to stress me out."

Harry already suspected that this was probably the case. Other than Ginny, the rumours were also quite harsh on Hermione. People haven't approached her about Ron, but Ginny and Luna confirmed that he was part of the gossip too. People were wondering why he didn't come back to Hogwarts. Many already speculated that he and Hermione broke up.

"Hermione. You can't let those get to you." Harry answered.

"It's not about what they are. But just how they affect me. How they affect us. I'm just really angry."

Her hands were shaking. Harry led her to the bed and both of them sat down.

"Harry, you know that I've been very focused on work and exams. But that doesn't mean I don't love you anymore. I'm still the same Hermione that you spent your summer with. I still desire the same things I did back then." A small smile formed on her face.

"I still can't get enough of being with you. And I hate how deprived both of us have been mostly because of me. I feel guilty for not giving our relationship enough attention. I feel like a bad girlfriend."

Harry shook his head, "Don't say that. Please, Hermione. You know that it's not true. I perfectly understand. I know you. It's something that I have to accept in order to be a good boyfriend. You don't have to feel guilty for anything."

"It's not just that Harry. I really miss you. Ever since the start of Hogwarts I've been missing you so much. In classes, we share desks together and all I can do is just sit there and admire how lucky I am. But I can't even fantasise because I have to focus on work. And outside of classes, even during our spare time, I can't kiss you or even hug you for too long because people might suspect something and neither of us will hear the end of it. People don't know we're together and if they find out. Imagine how much gossip will rain down upon us."

Harry nodded, "They'll probably think that you're cheating on Ron. And we'll have a similar situation from fourth year with the Skeeter article."

Hermione nodded, "And if that won't distract me from school, I don't know what else could. I'll be swarmed like Ginny was. But at the same time…" Her hands wrapped around his neck, "I want every girl in this castle to know that you're mine and only mine and that no one can have you but me."

Harry smiled at her, "Sometimes I really regret being who I am. I just want to be average, like everyone else."

"But you're not average Harry. You're incredible, in every single way. I don't know how I've come to deserve you in my world, but I never want to lose you or what we have." She gazed up at him. "Truth be told, I'm not stressed about school work at all. Yes, it's hard. But with enough effort, it's perfectly manageable. What really bothers me all the time is hearing how all these girls talk about you. If you heard half of the things they say about you. They don't interpret you as a human being. You're literally just an object to them. And I hate the idea of seeing them crowded all over you just because I'm too scared to hold your hand… or kiss you in public."

And then Harry kissed her. He had to. Looking at Hermione long enough would always stir that desire in him.

"I think I have an idea, then." He informed.

"What is it?" She asked.

"You will have to trust me."


The next day Hermione was walking downstairs for breakfast, hoping to see Harry at the table. But He wasn't there.

"Hey, Hermione." Came a friendly voice.

"Luna, good morning." She sat down next to her and grabbed some toast from the table. Her eyes were running through the entire hall.

"You're looking for Harry, don't worry. He already ate. He wanted me to tell you that he's waiting for you in the main courtyard outside." Luna informed.

Hermione nodded, bit into a large chunk of toast, swallowed it down with some orange juice and stood up.

"He didn't say anything about swallowing half a toast." Luna laughed.

Hermione waved to Luna and hurried down the hall towards the courtyard. As she stepped outside into the slightly chilly breeze, her eyes highlighted one face amongst the large crowd of students outside.

Harry was right in the middle, girls were all around him. Hermione recognised most of them. It was mostly sixth and seventh-year girls from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. There were a couple from Slytherin and Gryffindor too. All of them were crowded around Harry, he was in the middle of telling them something when he noticed Hermione. He looked back to a girl next to him and whispered something in her ear. Suddenly all of their eyes shot towards Hermione too. They were all staring at her. Then Harry stood up and started walking towards her, with all the girls waiting behind him, still staring.

"You came a bit earlier than I expected." He smiled, "But it should still work just fine."

"What's going on?" Hermione asked.

Harry's smile widened as he closed the distance between them and placed his hands on Hermione's hips.

"I'm about to blow up this castle." He smirked, then leaned in to kiss her.

Hermione heard gasps and giggles in the background. There were a bunch of cries and 'awwws'. She closed her eyes and kissed him back.

When he pulled away, she laughed, "So this was your big plan?"

Harry nodded, "I assure you it will work out just fine… you know public affection is minus five points. I don't think I'm setting a good example on all the people behind us.

Hermione laughed "I'm about to make it ten." And then she kissed him again.

School gossip. What an interesting construct.


I'm sort of cutting the chapter in half so expect a continuation of this in the next one. I knew that I would have to release a chapter like this from the start, simply because things had to be made clear for everyone at Hogwarts. I'm happy it's past me now.