Chapter 23

Harry and Elaina had split off from the rest of the group after leaving the Three Broomsticks. It was decided that Harry would escort the girl back to the castle in case there were any issues. Sirius had wagged his eyebrows at Harry when no one was looking, and the young man rolled his eyes as he followed the fake redhead back towards Honeydukes.

It took them a bit longer to slip into the shop with fewer customers around, but eventually the two had managed to slip into the shop disillusioned without any issues, and Harry helped Elaina into the secret passageway once they reached the cellar. In a matter of moments they were home free. Elaina seemed relieved when she canceled the glamor charms on her, and offered him a shy smile, "Thanks for today, Harry. It was really brilliant. Andi and Pandora showed me around before we met with you and your family at The Three Broomsticks. I can't wait to see the village in the snow. I am sure it is really beautiful."

"I bet it is too." Harry said, smiling at the girl's enthusiasm.

"I haven't had a chance to explore many magical areas in this world." Elaina confessed quietly, "I don't think I realized quite how much I was missing out on. Other than my yearly trip to Diagon Alley I haven't really seen much of anything, anywhere."

Offering her an understanding look over his shoulder as he walked he nodded, "I understand more than you know. I haven't seen much of the magical world either. Something I plan to change one day."

"Your family didn't take you traveling as a kid?" She asked curiously.

"Not really. Mum and Dad are pretty recognizable on the continent, and they didn't really take me to many places in fear of me being exposed to dragon pox." Harry said though the lie tasted bad in his mouth for some reason.

"Strange." The girl commented, but didn't say anything further.

"The loss of my older brother was devastating on my family. Larger than most can comprehend. It changed my family." Harry tried to explain, "My parents didn't really feel the desire to be social again until recently. I think reconnecting with our family over the last few months has really brought them back to life. I am sure my uncle Fleamont would have hardly recognized his brother and sister-in-law today with how much they smiled and laughed today. I know when I was kid they were pretty closed off. Hence the isolation."

There they were again. More lies. Harry had never felt the weight of them on his tongue until right now. This girl had saved his life. Broke bread with his family, yet here he was lying to her. He had lied to James though. His real father. To Lily. His real mother. Why was this so different? If Elaina was catching his discomfort however she didn't comment.

"I really like your parents. They are a lot like you I think." Elaina said softly.

"What about your parents?" Harry asked curiously.

Harry remembered what Dorea had told him about trying to learn more about the girl, and the question seemed innocent enough, but the way she tensed, the young man immediately knew he'd hit a sensitive spot, "What about them?"

Harry paused, and then cautiously asked, "What are they like?"

Elaina stopped behind him, and he stopped as well, turning to look at her. She had one hand clenched, and the other looked like it might go for her wand. A fight in this secret passageway would not be pretty, and Harry wondered if he had crossed an invisible line in the sand. Finally however she seemed to relax, "My mum died when I was young. I barely remember her. My dad…he doesn't care much for magic."

With that she stormed past him, and his heart sank. She was more like him than she knew. He wanted to confide in her, tell her that he knew her pain, but he couldn't. That burned more than he wanted to admit, but instead he said, "That couldn't have been easy."

"It wasn't." She bit out, before taking a deep breath, "But I know you are not a stranger to loss either. Your brother."

"And so many others along the way." Harry said quietly, and her head whipped back towards him, but he shook his head, "Maybe one day I will tell you how I really became so good at dueling. Just know that I understand the pain of your loss better than I can ever say."

A long moment of their eyes holding on to the others before she nodded, "I believe you. I look forward to your story."

With that she turned back towards the passageway, and after a few moments of silence they exited into the third floor corridor where it was quieter than expected. They were nowhere near curfew, but the castle's near-silence was ominous. The two reached the Slytherin common room with no interruptions, and they paused for a moment outside the door. Harry smiled for a moment as she hesitated to say the password to the common room, "I had a great day today. I am sure you have figured out by this point that I didn't come to Hogwarts for the education. It was for days like this. With my family. With a group of friends. It wasn't perfect, but it was great."

"I have a lot of respect for you, Harry. In just over a week you have gained more of it than most of the castle." Elaina admitted, "I know what it took for me to become what I am now, and I struggle to imagine what you did to become better than me. I thought I pushed myself beyond every possible limit, but then here you come, and beat me with ease. Maybe there is some truth to what they say about blood."

"Some." Harry admitted, "But you shouldn't doubt yourself. You are a great duelist, and it was not easy beating you. Not like it was with the others. You are very powerful to have come this far without someone to guide you."

"Guide me then. If not, train me. Show me how I can become as powerful as you." She said turning to face him, "What's out there isn't going to show me any mercy. Neither is anyone in that room."

Pointing at the Slytherin common room she quivered, "Your mum even told me it took desperation for her to reach her potential. With what is going on out there I don't know what I have to do to be more desperate."

"You would tear anyone in that room apart, Elaina." Harry said carefully.

"But it won't be one on one." She said stubbornly, "Your mother was impressed that I just stood up to you. You are clearly holding back a lot still. Even when we dueled I could tell you were doing your best not to hurt me, or summon your regular magic. I just want to feel safe as I'm walking through these halls for once."

Considering her words for a long moment Harry sighed before nodding, "I can show you a few things. Maybe you can run away with some of the things I give you, and become great."

Grinning, the girl sighed in content, "That's all I want."

Saying the password to the Slytherin common room opened the entrance and allowed them entry. Elaina offered him a smile over her shoulder as she walked in, "Goodnight, Harry. I will hold you to your word."

With that the girl headed to her dorm and Harry shook his head whispering to himself, "Bloody Hell."

.o.

The next day led Harry to an uncomfortable encounter with Marlene. She had cornered him after Charms class to speak with him, and had demanded answers, "I'm not mad, Harry, I just want to know what gives? Your family was chatting up Essex, and acting like I wasn't even there. Did you even tell them I was your date?"

Grimacing, Harry had told her the truth that he had not, and that had not gone over well, "Let me make it up to you. I didn't know my parents were going to hang out with us all day. The time really did get away from me. You have to understand that my family has waited a long time to act normal, and be among each other happily. That day in the Three Broomsticks was a long time coming. A dream for them since I was little."

Marlene calmed down a bit at his words, and sighed, "So there is nothing going on between you and Essex?"

"Nothing." Harry promised, "We are barely becoming friends. She is hard to read. Sometimes she is very friendly, and other times I think she is going to hex me. She saved my skin last week, and we struck up a camaraderie from that. I offered her protection in case they came after her in retaliation, and that's honestly it."

The answer didn't seem to completely satisfy Marlene, but she was placated for the time being, "I understand. Maybe it was silly to try and pull you away on your first outing to Hogsmeade. I just thought if I didn't, someone else might."

Harry looked puzzled at the girl, and she offered him a shy smile, "I think you underestimate your popularity, Harry."

Placing a delicate hand on his upper chest she grinned as she stepped into his personal bubble, "You are powerful, mysterious, from a good family, and the more serious version of the git that no one has been able to get on a date since he is head over heels for Lily. It's cute, but none of the girls have had a chance with one of the best looking guys in school, and suddenly his practical twin waltzes in during our final year. I was surprised no one asked you before I worked up the nerve to do it myself."

Surprised at how close the girl was to him he swallowed hard, "Maybe they are scared of me? I wasn't exactly a friendly shine of rainbows and welcome in my first few weeks here."

"Should they be?" She asked quietly.

Her blue eyes peered up at him, and he sucked in his lips nervously, "Maybe."

Grinning up at him she leaned forward and placed a lingering kiss on his cheek, "Well, I'd like to find out one way or another." With that she moved away from him with a large smile on her face, "Astronomy Tower tonight. Half an hour after curfew. Don't be late."

Nodding dumbly Harry watched as the girl began to walk away, and his breathing returned to normal. Bloody Hell, he thought as he shook his head walking towards his next class.

.o.

That night Harry did as requested, and was up on the Astronomy tower 30 minutes after curfew. H'd told no one that he was leaving to meet a girl in private. He shook his head wondering what he was doing, but tried to take his mind off it. He had been knee-deep in his problems with Voldemort, Death Eaters, and other people who wanted to kill him since he was eleven years old. He deserved a chance to spend time with a pretty girl who had a crush on him with no fear of repercussions, except maybe a detention if they were caught.

Peering out onto the Hogwarts grounds it was colder than he expected. It was a windy evening, and he frowned as he drew his wand drawing careful diamond motions to make the wind cease in his area. A simple ward that would dismantle itself in a few hours. Satisfied with his work a voice pulled him from his thoughts, "Impressive. Non-verbal ward. The Ravenclaw in me loves how knowledgeable you must be in obscure magic."

Marlene came in quietly with her Ravenclaw robes on, and her hair tied back. Harry offered her an awkward smile for a moment before saying, "I found out I was really good at wards about a year ago. My friend and I spent some time camping out in the woods for a few weeks, and she taught me how to cast them. We quickly found out I was a natural, and she sought to teach me as much as she could."

"Tsk tsk tsk." Marlene chided, "Two minutes into our little date, and you are already talking about another girl. What am I to think?"

Blinking a few times Harry sheepishly smiled at her, "You're right. I'm sorry."

"You will learn. Don't worry." She said patronizingly as she came forward and patted him on the cheek. She then turned to face the space he had warded off, and nodded, "This will work."

With quick x patterns her wand conjured a blanket, and neatly laid it out. Sitting down on the blanket she patted the ground next to her, "Come on, Harry, I won't bite. Have a seat."

Feeling a little uncomfortable with how familiar she was acting towards him, he did as he was told and took a seat next to her. She scooted closer to him until they were touching, and he desperately searched his brain for something to say. The girl finally giggled, breaking the silence, "Harry, I can tell how uncomfortable you are. Breathe. You act like this is the first time you have done something like this with a girl."

Thinking on her words Harry realized she wasn't far off. Ginny and he had snuck off a few times, but it was usually to a broom cupboard or somewhere in Hogsmeade. They were also quite familiar with each other when they did that. By the time he realized he wanted to pursue Hermione romantically it was too late. The disaster with Cho and Padma were not even worth mentioning. This was truly the first time he had put himself in a situation like this, and he figured honestly would be the best, "I honestly haven't. You forget I grew up mostly in isolation."

"I think I love that." Marlene giggled, "Don't worry, Harry, relax. We won't do anything crazy. I just want to get to know you a little bit more."

She gently took his hand in her own, and began tracing her hand on his palm, and turned his hand over, wincing at what she saw, "This scar…it was done with a blood quill wasn't it?"

Grimacing, Harry nodded, pulling his hand back, "One of my tutors. She didn't like the…let's call it disrespect I showed her."

"Merlin, Harry." Marlene whispered, "You must have written the line over a hundred times…I must not tell lies. I can see it clear as day."

"We had a difference of opinions, and I refused to bow down to her." Harry said with a frown at the memory.

"Why didn't you tell your parents?" She asked quietly.

"Let's just say it was an ugly political situation, and leave it at that. I wasn't going to do anyone any favors by pointing the finger." Harry explained carefully.

"I can't imagine." She said in return before asking, "Do you have any other scars?"

Wincing at the question Harry nodded, "More than I'd like to have. All them are reminders to me that at one point I was not strong enough to protect myself."

Marlene looked up at him with her wide curious blue eyes, and said, "I forget that while you may look like James at times you certainly are the more serious version of him. Tell me about some of your other scars."

Harry frowned at the analysis. Did Marlene have a crush on James, and he turned her down for Lily? Or was he just reading too much into it? Hoping to avoid the topic of his past injuries he said, "I'm not sure this is a very good first date topic."

The Ravenclaw merely laughed at his discomfort, responding with, "I am just trying to get to know you, Harry. The scars you bear are a part of you, and your story. How else will I get to know the man behind all the rumors?"

"Rumors?" Harry asked curiously, quite familiar with how Hogwarts infamous rumor mill usually worked.

Giggling, the girl responded with, "You haven't heard what they are saying about you?"

Shaking his head to answer the girl she turned to face him completely, "Some are saying your parents raised you in secrecy to be a War Mage destined to fight in the next World War. Others have said you were adopted, and through ritualistic magic from the Black family they made you look like one of their own. I even heard that you were born a squib, and didn't exhibit magic until you were a teenager, which is why your family kept you hidden from the world. Only for you to be a super late bloomer, and you became more powerful than your parents."

Snorting at this last one Harry shook his head, "My dad still wipes the floor with me. I doubt there are many wizards or witches in the world that could go toe to toe with him, and live to tell the tale. Grindelwald feared my father for good reason."

The girl shivered at the name of the last Dark Lord that nearly took over the world, "It's crazy to think about what your parents must have gone through back then. Do they ever talk about the war?"

"Not very often." Harry admitted, "I've actually heard more about it in the last few months than I have my whole life. When we decided to come out of isolation the topic came up a lot more. Before that there really wasn't much of a reason to discuss it. With how many friends they lost along the way I don't think it's a very comfortable topic."

"Do you ever feel like you have enormous shoes to fill?" Marlene asked curiously.

"Mum and dad have never given me a reason to feel like I would need to be like them." Harry answered softly, "But I expected it of myself. People look to my parents as heroes, and rightfully so. I don't want that responsibility, but if the need arises, then so will I."

Marlene looked at him with a different expression now. Before Harry could question it, the girl grabbed the front of his robes and pulled him into a kiss. The kiss was not slow, or gentle. It was needy and aggressive. Before he knew it Marlene had climbed into his lap without breaking the kiss, and put her knees on each side of him. Harry wasn't quite certain where to put his hands, so he rested them on her hips as her hands were touching as much of his chest as she could. Harry remembered that Ginny used to like it when he would nibble on her lip, and did so to Marlene, initiating a soft groan.

Marlene broke the kiss after a moment, and took a deep breath putting her forehead to his, "You've definitely done that before."

"Anything I say is going to ruin the moment." Harry said back feeling a little cheeky, and suddenly confident with the beautiful witch in his lap, "So I am going to stay quiet."

This made Marlene laugh, "You have a way with words, Harry Potter. The fact that it wasn't intentional either made it all the more attractive."

Deciding to put some of the Gryffindor bravery to the test Harry just grinned at her teasingly and wrapped his arms around her, lifted her up, and gently guided her to her back to lay on the blanket as he continued the kiss. All thoughts of the coming conflict, the Death Eaters, the war, and his losses went into the back of his mind as he kissed the beautiful blonde Ravenclaw underneath him.

(A/N) Interesting conversations between Harry and the women in his life. Lots to come in the days ahead, and you can read chapter 45 right now on pat(reon) if you follow me for 1$ OrionB15. If you want to read through Chapter 32 you can join me on Discord for free! Just delete the spaces from the link below, and I will see you all in two weeks!

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