"I have to say I'm impressed." Harry studied the badge that many people were currently wearing on the chest.
Neville looked at the black haired boy. "Aren't you angry." He felt uncomfortable with the stares the school was giving them.
Harry smiled. "Why should I care?" The badge that displayed 'Support Cedric Diggory' changed its text to 'Potter Stinks'.
Luna the adopted Griffindor, sniffed Harry. "You smell nice." A cracking sound spread out.
Hermione took another spoon. "That old hag is going at it again."
"They're calling you the false champion now." Dean read the headline.
Harry chuckled. "Some would say that's true." He looked at the Hufflepuff table. Many of them proudly wearing the cheep abomination.
"Do you like them Potter." Draco walked by with this entourage. "I find the message compelling."
Green eyes scrutinized the platinium blond. "I'm all for blonds smelling me. But only the fair ones." He winked at the Slytherin girls. Some were amused while others scowled like their dean.
Draco sneered. "Be happy while you can. Most people don't survive the tournament."
"The same could be said about Voldemort but here I am." Harry stood up.
The slytherin paled. "What are you doing?"
Harry ignored the looks he was getting and came up to the staff table. "Can I make a public announcement?" He asked McGonagall.
"And pray tell what does the champion have to say?" Snape interjected.
Harry looked at the man. "Apparently your job since you're still sitting cozy and towering from above."
"That's enough!" McGonagall put a stop to their dispute. "Students are allowed to address the student body. Please don't misuse my trust Mr. Potter." Harry nodded in agreement.
The students curiously looked towards the exchange. Silence engulfed the Great Hall. Just what was the boy doing.
Harry cast the Sonorous charm." I'm sorry I've interrupted your breakfast. However, something came up to my attention and there's a need to address it." He started.
"I understand that some of you are feeling unsatisfied with the results." He glanced over the crowd of listening students.
"I know that some might feel as if I've stolen the glory and spotlight they've deserved." He looked towards the Hufflepuff students and Mrs. Sprout.
"I didn't say anything before when 3/4 of the school shunned me. Called me names."
Some students lowered their heads in shame. "Since you don't want to lay off then maybe I should remind all of you where we stand today."
"I could try to explain how it wasn't possible for me to enter my name. Why I have no more need for glory. But I believe the wise Ravenclaws already knew that." The house of black and blue looked away in shame. "And let's not forget the bad taste left after the bullying scandal just last week. It seems its truly hard to learn from our past mistakes."
Harry turned his attention to the table of green. "Although I don't see eye to eye with the Slytherins I have at least two things in common with them. The hat wanted to sort me there because it saw my ambition for greatness. Secondly, I happen to be a Parselmouth like one of the founders." The students were shocked by this revelation. Even the Griffindor's. "And yet for some unknown reason they thought making a mockery of our school was the best way to make connections with the visiting schools."
Harry once again looked at the badgers. "Although, the house of yellow and black stripes doesn't seem to stand out from the crowd. It has one of the most valuable traits everyone looks for in others. Loyalty." The Hufflepuffs knew what was coming. "But where was that today? When the world decided to band against one of your fellow students you've spat at the foundation set by Helga Hufflepuff herself." Harry bellowed in disgust.
After a couple of minutes of silence he decided to end his speech. "For many this school is a second home. Don't besmirch its name in front of others." He stopped so it could settle in. " Thank you for listening. Have a nice Friday." Harry walked out of the Great Hall in silence.
"I've heard what happened at breakfast. Are you okay 'Arry?" Hagrid asked the smiling youth.
The boy in question was sipping on tea. "Some things needed to be said. Now at least they have a reason to not like me."
The half-giant took out a pan with cookies out of the oven. "I know a little something about that."
Harry grinned. "Then what's going on with you and the Headmistress?" He laught at the poor man's blush.
"You should worry about yerself." Hagrid tried to change the subject.
"I'm only 14, Hagrid." He chuckled. "And I'm not lonely. I have my friends and you."
After drinking some more Harry left the lovable man and headed towards Charms. A speeding brown bullet rammed into his chest.
"That's some nice power you've got there Hermione." He patted her head. "Is something the matter?"
Furious brown eyes met with his. "You've got some nerve missing History for the second time this week." She released her embrace. "And what's worst you didn't allow me to comfort my friend." She huffed.
"I'm sorry but the school needed some time without me." He continued walking with her. "Was it bad?"
She rolled her eyes. "Name every social blunder there is and you've probably done it."
He looked amused. "I don't remember stripping down Mione. Unless you did it with your eyes." She pinched his side.
"Many were impressed with your courage." She beamed. "But I thought you didn't like the notoriety?"
"Sometimes you have to say something so others don't make it up for you, Mione." He sighed.
Fortunately the class went by without any problems. However, something changed in Professor McGonagall's eyes.
"Your parents would've been proud. Especially your mother." A small tear poured down her whithered face when said that to him.
"Damn that blasted shade." He started to identify even more with the original. His heart hurt after hearing the professor's praise.
Nobody wore the badge anymore. However, Harry was still getting the silent treatment at lunch. The Potions lesson was eerily peaceful as well. Perhaps something that Harry said resonated with the miserable coot. Suddenly sounds of knocking spread. Colin Creevey entered the dungeon room.
"Excuse me, sir. Harry Potter is needed for the Weighing of Wands." The boy timidly informed.
"Did you finish your assignment, Mr. Potter?" Snape asked without looking above his papers.
"Unfortunately not, sir. However, I've left some instructions for Neville to follow." Harry passed a copy of his notes to Snape.
He read the rather clean penmanship and nodded. "You may leave." Nobody dared to say anything as Harry left the classroom with his little fan trailing behind.
"I've brought Harry Potter." Colin excused himself from the room.
Other Champions were already there waiting for the wand maker. They cast a scrutinizing gaze at the newcomer. His first impression shattered after today's breakfast. Now they viewed him with more respect.
"Quite the ruckus you've made." A screeching voice reached Harry from behind. "The name's Rita Skeeter."
A middle-aged woman with glasses and horrible taste in fashion appeared before the boy. "It's an honor to finally meet the reporter that knows me so well. Curious indeed." His smile made her stop.
She judged his unchanging expression. "Aren't you a challenge?" She said with a predatory smile. "Let's find a quiet spot for our interview." The boy dodged her grabbing motion.
"There's no need for secrecy." Harry cast a gentle smile at Rita. "I'd also prefered you wrote my statements personally."
She cast her self-writing quill aside for a normal one. "Since you're so eager. Let's start easy. So you think you'll win?"
Harry almost rolled his eyes at the supposed curveball. "There's no question about it." That ticked off the rest of the occupants.
Rita was overjoyed. "Why are you so confident against older and more experienced wizards and witches?"
"Unless they personally slayed a Basilisk and chased hundreds of Dementors away, I'm not worried." He replied.
Skeeter raised her brow. "Basilisk? When did that happen?"
"During my second year. A couple of petrified students. The Lockhart fiasco. Those were some dark times." Harry sighed.
"You've fought a Basilisk? Don't be absurd." A melodious voice questioned.
"I can even show you the body if time allows it." Harry offered.
Before more questions could be answered Dumbledore entered the room with Mr. Ollivander.
"I think that's enough exciting stories for today my boy." Albus motioned the Champions to gather around.
Ollivander quickly went through the wands. Unearthing their mysteries to the world. After a small photoshoot the crowd dispersed leaving Harry free for a couple of hours. He received a letter from his Godfather, informing Harry about a possible floo call on the 22nd of November.
Hermione sat down next to Harry at the dorm. "How was the ceremony?"
He looked up from his book about runes. "Nothing too exciting. I've met the reporter we know all too well."
She cringed just by thinking about Skeeter. "Is she even more charming in person?"
"Tried to question me in a broom closet." He chuckled at her disbelief. "I'm not joking."
He looked at her closely. "There's something different about you?"
She had a big toothy grin. "So you noticed."
He closed the book. "Did you hurt yourself?" Concern flashed in his eyes.
Blushing she told how Malfoy started a fight after Potions. "Apparently he wasn't happy with how Snape didn't attack you."
He brushed away a strand of hair from her face. "I'm glad nothing bad happen. Your parents won't be happy." He smiled at her pouting expression.
"They'll have to live with it. I like my new teeth." She replied.
Harry decided to not dig deeper. "I'm sorry you got hurt because of me."
She smiled. "I hit him back the good muggle way." They both giggled at that.
Hermione snuggled into his side. "You can't always be there." He pulled her closer. A comfortable silence between them.
Harry broke the tranquility with a proposition. "Let's train how to fight back."
Hermione's eyes flashed with eagerness. "I can't say no to magic." She grinned
"I though you wanted to spend time with me. But I'm just a means to an end. How ruthless." He placed his hand on his heart in hurt.
The witch rolled her eyes and stood up. "When you're done meet me at the library." Harry watched with astonishment as his friend left the common room.
Two hands embraced his shoulders from behind. "That's how it is." Fred said in mock sadness.
"First they wrap you around their finger. And then leave happy with the mess they've made." George sneezed into a handkerchief.
Harry grabbed the twins by their sides. "I know two ladies that'll like to personally hear your theory." A mischievous smile entered the redheaded menaces eyes.
The twins looked at each other with trepidation. "We want our Harrikins back!" Laughter and shouting filled the common room.
Harry entered the Great Hall and was greeted with baleful eyes. "Predictable." He said and began stuffing his plate with dinner.
Lavender and Parvati were greedily inhaling in the evening edition of the Prophet. "Why did you say this?" Neville pointed towards the article.
The boy in question wasn't worried. "Let's call it an experiment, shall we?"
The article once again smeared the boy wonder. This time from the angle of destroying the relationship between countries.
"Even Fudge denounced your words." Ginny read.
Harry glanced at the article. "Are you up for an interview, Luna?"
The dreamy blonde was born ready. "Are you finally ready to reveal your dastardly plan for world domination?" She began taking notes.
He pinched her cheek. "Unfortunately we have to do a raincheck on that one, my Queen."
With a loud hmph Hermione sat on the other side of him. "So much for caring." She ignored his attempts to salvage the situation.
A fidgeting Neville handed the paper to Hermione."She mentioned you as well."
The witch read the piece with amusement. "So now I'm the dirty little muggleborn trying to condemn the savior."
Harry chuckled. "That's what you get for hitting the snake princess." The Griffindor table burst into laughter. Confusion was visible in the eyes of other students.
"She's one scary witch." Ron muttered. "But Malfoy got what he deserved."
Hermione looked proud of herself. "But how does she know these things." She pointed towards the line where she hugged Harry. "There was nobody around us."
Dean explained. "She's known for getting information behind locked doors. It's a mystery as to how." The conversation steered away from Harry and Hermione.
The next morning wasn't better. Another hit piece by Rita Skeeter took the Great Hall by storm. This time about the happenings in Harry's second year. Painting the headmaster in bad light and questioning Dumbledore's tenure throughout the years.
"Not going to lie. Some are justified concerns." Harry pointed towards the passage about falling standards.
"But we're the best school in Europe." Ron really should learn not to run his mouth.
"If you want to have a chance with the French chicks then you'd better learn some manners." Seamus joked at the redhead's expense.
"I'm surprised Fudge went this route." Harry commented. "Now he's going to get mocked every chance the foreign dignitaries get."
"So nothing's changed." Hermione giggled remembering the Quidditch World Cup. "Have anything planned?"
"I wanted to start today with a couple of combat spells." Harry replied. "The summoning and banishing charms also need polishing."
"Can we join?" Ginny asked. "Of course if it's not a problem." She blushed at her straightforwardness.
"Not at all. We can train outside as it's warm today." Harry glanced at the shivering Beauxbatons. "No matter how absurd that seems to some."
"Was this necessary." Neville plopped on the ground from exhaustion. The rest weren't better off.
Ginny stood proudly. "I was already training for next year playoffs." Her face dropped when she turned around and saw Luna effortlessly skipping through the grass.
Hermione was surprisingly fit. "How did that happen?" Harry asked.
"Years of carrying books and keeping up with your shenanigans finally paid off, Mr. Potter." She smirked at his embarrassment. "And why are you standing around?"
The gossip duo watched on as Harry was stretching. "And miss this." Lavender pointed towards the men.
"You can't keep the good stuff all to yourself honey." Parvati added. "And we're fine with not dousing ourselves with sweat."
"But I also enjoy when girls work out" Harry made a sad face making the girls plan out their clothes for another day.
Harry felt two pinches on each side. "Both of you were lovely." He said with a charming smile to Hermione and Luna. "You too Ginny." The redhead embraced her lovely shade of red at the comment.
"With the pleasantries out of our way let's run your bodies and minds to the ground." The boy's gentle smile didn't match his words.
After some Stupify and Protego drills everyone was completely spent. The charming sergeant was overlooking his masterpiece. "I'll make something out of you yet." His victims groaned.
"I'll definitely get my revenge, somehow." Hermione said without conviction.
Luna waddled her way to Harry. "One princess treatment please." And she jumped into his arms. "The showers await." She motioned him to go.
"She's surprisingly good, Lav." Parvati took notes.
Lavender hit her friend. "Stop encouraging the enemy."
"Second!" Ginny shouted. Much to the disbelief of the crowd.
"Maybe in your next life, Butterfingers." Hermione muttered.
"Can I take a moment of your time?" Harry stopped. Auburn hair entered his sight.
"Even two if you allow it, Ms. Bones?" Susan, the niece of the head of DMLE stepped down the ever roaming staircase of Hogwarts.
"Better have tried, Mr. Potter." She mirrored his mischievous grin.
Harry gently held out his arm. "Let's take a walk." Susan took the offered hand.
The pair slowly traversed the lonely corridors in peaceful silence. "I'd like to apologize for my behavior Mr. Potter." Susan broke the ice.
"Just Harry will suffice." He smiled. "We're already close. Lovely fragrance by the way."
The girl's lighthearted giggles tickled his ears. "Such a delightful sensation when you smile Ms. Bones."
"It's only fair if you call me Susan, Harry." She jovially ignored his flattery. "You've still haven't answered.
They came to a stop. "Susan, apologies mean something when you have something to show for it." He looked into her grey eyes. "The fact you've personally came is already a good start."
She smiled wryly. "Do tell what you want of me." Her face came closer to his.
He gently poked her forehead. "I've always wanted a loyal mischievous badger by my side."
She grimaced. "You'd want a fallen badger near you?"
"You've only done what's best for your house." They continued walking. "Making wrong judgments as a teen isn't a fault. Repeating them is."
"I've worn the badge that morning." She lowered her head. "I've brought shame to me and my aunt. That was one long floo call." Harry laught.
"A couple of hateful articles later and you've still came to apologize." She looked at his green eyes filled with understanding.
"I only regret to not making myself known to you earlier." He apologized. "Then we'd be both free from this misunderstanding. However, there's a silver lining to this."
"That being?" His response couldn't come sooner.
"Now that I know what I've missed. I'm not letting it out of my grasp again." He smirked at her blush. "I've won."
"Don't count on it." She pouted. Reddish hue still painting her fair dimples. "Before I forget this is a letter from my Aunt."
He raised his brow. "Should I be worried? It's too early for an engagement contract." She swatted him on the arm.
"Be serious for a second." Her statement made him laught.
"I don't think the world is ready for that." Susan narrowed her eyes in a threatening gaze.
"She wants to talk with you during next Hogsmeades weekend." She cut to the chase.
Harry sighed. "I presume it's about the article?" Susan nodded. "I'll find some time."
"Good." Susan beamed. "This is my stop." The girl released his arm and walked towards a portrait.
"You break my heart Susan. I thought we had something going on." He wallowed in self-pity.
The accused said the password to the hidden passage. "That's what you get for playing with a young maidens heart Mr. Potter." She winked. "Good night, Harry."
"Sleep well Susie." He left the now blushing girl.
He didn't expect getting into trouble this late at night. "Where were you mister?" Hermione stood in the strangely vacant room, tapping her foot.
He showed the letter he got." Susan wanted to make amends and left a message from her Aunt." He sat down on the couch near to the fireplace.
Hermione sat next to Harry. "She's all over you." She whiffed an unfamiliar smell.
"Aren't you a naughty witch." He embraced her. "Smelling younger boys. How could you?" He let out a small laugh at the stuttering mess before him.
She tried to gain back some of her former courage. "Don't change the subject."
He brushed her hair and laid his head on her's. "I love your fragrance. Vanilla and parchment." She felt him nuzzling her head and she froze. "Is there something wrong?"
Tears appeared on her face. "I don't know. It just hurts." He pulled her into his lap.
A spur of emotions guided Harry's arms, comforting the crying and vulnerable girl before him. "There weren't many happy moments in my life before Hogwarts." He started.
"I've hoped this was where everything will finally change. That I'll finally find my own place in this world." He continued slowly rubbing her back in circles.
"Two great friends came to my life by happenstance. Who would've thought a troll could be so useful." He heard a small huff. "The first year was a mixed bag of events but I love every single memorable moment. Like the one where you tried rescuing me."
"How wrong we were that time." Hermione whispered.
"If the man bat was more likable then it'd have been avoided. However, I'm still grateful for you breaking the rules. Even if it meant the worst, getting expelled." She pinched his chest.
Harry tightened his hold. "And then came the second year." Hermione placed her hands around his waist. "The year started horrendously. Being subjected to loneliness against my will. Fast foward a couple of months and the school thought I was a monster." He felt Hermione's soft hands slowly but surely giving him the strength he desperately needed.
He sniffed. "But the worst came at the end. When I thought I've lost you forever. Your lifeless body still hunts me to this day." As the tears came out Hermione brought his head to her chest.
"It's over." She caressed his unruly locks of hair. "I'm here by your side." She cooed to calm him down.
Harry dived into her neck to feel her scent even more. "When I saw you run into the Great Hall I felt relief. " He forced himself to calm down. "I still vibrantly remember the warmth of your famous bullet hug." Hermione got goosebumps from the vibrations released by his chuckle.
"Our third year had some close calls as well." She whispered. "I'm still furious why they didn't call off the match."
"Watching you push yourself wasn't enjoyable as well." He sighed and delicately stroked her head. "I'm glad you're finally taking care of yourself."
She blushed seeing his caring gaze. "Remember our flight?" She asked meekly.
Harry had a wistful smile. "How could I forget that forceful grip of yours." A comfortable silence engulfed them.
Courage filled Harry's heart as he slowly raised Hermione's chin. The curious browns interlocked with the passionate greens. His finger delicately brushed her lower lip making her nervously gasp. "I love you Hermione." He lowered his head and kissed her lips. She didn't resist the overwhelming waves of emotions forming in her heart and reciprocated with placing her arms behind his neck, deepening the kiss in the process.
The two finally broke their connection, gasping for air. While she was catching her breath Harry wiped of her tears. "Did I hurt you?" He fearfully asked.
She almost wanted to laught at the sight of his puppy eyes. "No." She pecked him on the lips. "I'm happy, because now I can finally throw something off my chest."
"And what's that?" He looked into her playful eyes.
Hermione lowered herself to his ear. "I love you too, Harry Potter." And she kissed him releasing all the passion she had for the brunet before her.
After a long session of snogging the two rested comfortably on the couch. Cuddling and taking pleasure in being close to each other. "I know it's a little late for this." Harry placed her hand on his cheek."Will you be my girlfriend?"
The pause was killing him. After what seemed hours Hermione raised her smirking face. "You're not getting rid of me that easy, mister." She pecked him the cheek and snuggled into his chest leaving the poor boy with an open mouth.
"You cheeky little witch." He started tickling her. Giggles and laughter ensued until finally they both fell asleep within each other's embrace. Satisfaction written on their youthful faces.