"The Fay told me the news." Luna hopped towards Harry and Hermione." I can't wait for my turn." She said with an ethereal voice.
The older witch blocked the blonde's way. "What are you talking about?"
Luna unfazed evaded her and jumped into Harry's arms. "Don't bully my girlfriend." He pinched her cheek. "That's my job and pleasure."
Hermione blushed hearing that statement."Let's head for breakfast."
Sunday was always a lazy day for most of the students. Even breakfast was held an hour longer for that reason. The trio walked into an almost empty Great Hall. Neville was the only one from the forth year sitting at the Griffindor's table.
"Why are you so tired Neville?" Harry helped the girls sit down next to him on each side.
The boy looked towards the newcomers sitting before him. "I've been helping Professor Sprout at the greenhouses early today." He smiled. "I'd like to say congrats for finally becoming an item.
"How did you know?" Hermione looked surprised.
Neville blushed. "I might've seen your snogging session when I've tried to retrieve my book that I left in the common room." The couple lowered their heads in shame.
Neville continued. "At least I've won the bet the twins set up." He covered his mouth but the damage was done.
Hermione's brows were on their way to liftoff. "What bet?" She wanted to grab the boy. "Speak."
Harry held onto the fuming witch. "Relax Mione." He placed a kiss on her head. "So what did you bet on?"
The boy nervously looked to the side. "The pool formed before the third year. I've bet you would get together before the end of this year." Neville scratched his head in embarrassment.
"So did I. I'm gathering funds for my expedition to find Crumple-Horned Snorkacks." Luna offhandedly said while eating her favorite pudding.
Harry sighed. " I can suspect Luna's reason, but why did you chose that option."
Neville anxiously played with his cereal. "I've betted on how dense you were. There was even an option that you'll never get together."
Hermione huffed. "Surely I'd have made my move sooner or later."
Harry chuckled in amusement and kissed her hand. "My valiant valkyrie would've made me swoon."
"Prat." She smiled at her boyfriend. "But the twins are getting hexed. Aren't they?" She looked towards him with a predatory smile.
"Don't worry. I clean up the mess." He hoped they were joking. "Anything news worthy besides our lovelife?" Harry was preparing some sandwiches while Hermione opted for some salad with croutons.
"Hello lovebirds. Couldn't make it before the third year ended." Parvati approached while pulling a sleeping Lavender behind her.
"Five more minutes. And you lost Parvs." The yawning girl said while stretching her arms.
The Indian girl rolled her eyes. "You thought she didn't have it in her." Hermione had an annoyed expression on her face.
"Let's leave some things left unsaid, shall we?" Harry sweated from mini heart attacks they were giving him.
Luna brought his attention to an article. "So now I'm an vampire? Well I like to bite." He nibbled Hermione's ear making her giggle.
"You must ask my dad before you devour his little pixie." Luna's comment made everybody's eyes go wide.
"So that's the case." Parvati then engaged with Lavender in a storm of whispers and giggles.
Slowly students gathered in the hall. Hermione glared at the twins who high-fived Harry. Money will change hands today leaving some people disappointed at the outcome.
"And now he even gets the girl this is ridiculous." Ron fumed making the surrounding people uncomfortable.
"We're going to have a talk Ron." The redhead was off putted by Harry's tone.
"And why do you think I want to talk with you?" Ron ignored the looks he was getting.
"We'll talk so our years of taking care of each other's backs don't go to waste." Harry tried to ease the situation a little bit.
A mocking voice reached his ears. "Trouble in paradise Potter?" Draco Malfoy and his two bodyguards laught at the crumbling friendship.
"See Ron. If we make up this guy will pop a blood vessel." Harry encouraged the ginger.
Ron smirked. "It's good to have you back." Hermione smacked him on the arm.
"That's our line you prat." She turned towards the blond. "Finally you've been useful for once."
Draco wasn't having it. "How dare you speak to me like that you mud..." Harry punched the boy in the face.
Crabbe and Goyle tried to grab him but got stunned by the Griffindors with Stupify. Professor McGonagall and Snape arrived and began questioning the witnesses.
"Just when I thought you could control your actions Mr. Potter." The women said in a disappointed tone. "Detention today after dinner."
Snape wasn't happy with that."That's all the boy miracle is going to get? He should at least get suspended for his violence."
The witch narrowed her eyes in anger. "You should've educated your godson better then allow him to prance around saying slurs. Much less doing it before an audience." She looked towards Draco. "I'll make sure your mother will hear about this."
The Potions teacher escorted the scared and embarrassed boy out of the Great Hall.
Harry turned to Ron. "Any comments?" He smiled.
His friend smiled back. "It lacked finesse."
Hermione rolled her eyes at their exchange. "Let's go boys. We have homework to do."
Enthusiasm left Ron's face. "Can I get a redo?" He looked with hope at Harry.
The raven-haired boy patted his friend on the shoulder. "No refunds." He wasn't going to suffer alone.
Satisfied with the abysmal looks on her friends Hermione went upstairs with the girls.
Dean massaged his wrist. "This is the last time I've joined you."
"Mental." Ron placed his head on the table. "I'm not sorry for that mate."
Harry chuckled at his dorm mates. "It wasn't that bad." He closed his book for Arithmancy. "Take solace knowing that was her at 10 percent power."
"You're a lost cause." Dean smirked at Harry's blushing face.
The boys left for other arrangements leaving Ron and Harry from their group in the common room.
"Have you seen Ginny today?" Harry asked.
The small redhead's brother thought for a second. "Didn't Loony grab her? Maybe they're friends again." He mused.
"It's Luna, Ron. Her creatures are like your belief the Chudly Cannons will finally have their lucky streak." He smirked at his annoyed expression.
Before Ron could answer back a small ball of fur rammed into his chest. "You bloody bird will get yourself killed one day." He unrolled the poor bird and placed it on the table.
"How does he manage to fly is a mystery in itself." Harry handed over the letter it dropped to his friend. "It's from Charlie."
The note was a short one. "He's going to be here during the first task." Ron looked up at Harry. "He circled 'dragon' for some reason."
Something finally clicked in Ron's mind. "It can't be right?" Blood drained from his face.
Harry's fingers drummed on the table. "Knowing my luck?" He sighed. "Hermione summarized what happened in past tournaments. Big uncuddly monster's were a hit with the crowd."
"But you can't fight that!" Ron banged the table with his fist. "I've seen them." He shivered.
"I'll ask Padfoot for some advice." Harry combed his hair with his fingers. "You're telling it with me." He looked towards his heading down the stairs girlfriend.
A surprisingly focused expression appeared on Ron's face. "God speed Harry." The redhead left everything behind and evacuated from the room in haste.
Hermione walked up to Harry with confusion written in her face. "What's his problem?"
Harry scowled. "A bloody coward he is." The boy took the witches hand into his grasp. "Would you like to go for a walk around the lake?" He kissed her hand.
The girl scrutinized her boyfriend's face. "I know that look Potter. You'll have some explaining to do." She hmphed and left to get herself ready.
Harry sank down into the armchair. His head between the arms. The Reckoning couldn't arrive sooner.
"What are we doing here Luna?" The fiery redhead asked her friend.
The blonde took the both of them to an unused classroom. "You're unhappy."
Sadness was plastered on Ginnys face. "How could I not be?" She said with underlying anger. "He's taken."
The blonde tilted her head to the side. "So, you're giving up?" Ginny was surprised by the flash of disapproval in Luna's eyes.
"I'm not a hussy to break other's relationships." Her screaming was shot down by a cinnamon roll.
Luna took out an impressive tome from her bag. It had dozens of bookmarks prying out of it. "Start at the silver one."
Ginny surrendered to her friends request. "Only because of the sweet." A flyer dropped to the floor. "Really?" She showed her friend the paper map filled with strategic buildings marked with red circles.
"I wasn't joking." A rare smirk showed on the blonde's face.
Ginny sighed at Luna's plan for a coup. She opened the book and began reading. With every sentence her eyes became wider.
"It can't be true?" She asked with a pleading tone. "Will they even allow it?"
Luna patted Ginny's head. "We can be persuasive about it." She brought up her map. Giggling echoed in the closed space.
"She won't know what hit her." Ginny said to the dreamy blonde with a mischievous smile as they left the classroom.
As they were sitting by the lakeside Hermione sneezed. Harry wrapped his arms tighter against her waist. Pulling her closer in his lap. "Are you cold." He nuzzled her neck.
She leaned back giving him more space for his ministrations. "Where was this Harry all my life?" She sighed.
He pecked her on the lips making her let out a giggle. But she quickly stopped. "Why all this?" Hermione nervously held onto his arm.
There wasn't an easy way saying this. "Dragons Hermione." The girl started trembling in his arms.
Just as he wanted to comfort her a slew of cursing left the witches mouth. Birds and other creatures scrambled away leaving dust clouds behind. Seeing the witch was on a roll he forcefully sealed her lips with his own. It shocked Hermione but eventually she caved in, closing her eyes in pleasure.
After the snogging session she hit him on the chest. "You're getting ahead of yourself mister." She huffed.
He awkwardly chucked as he rubbed the sore spot. "It's you who showed the sailors how it's done." He pointed towards the Durmstrang's ship. Cheers and whistling reached their ears making the girl hide her head in embarrassment.
"What are we going to do?" She finally asked. "They can't ask you to fight those things."
Harry shrugged. "Personally I see that happening. However," he stopped for a moment, "maybe I'm going to have to get something from them."
She rolled her eyes. "Might as well fight it." Dragons were greedy creatures by nature.
"Let's just focus on me staying alive." He combed through his hair. "Not allowing competitors anything but a wand seems troublesome."
A mischievous smile reflected in Hermione's eyes. "But, you have a plan?" She asked.
Harry grabbed his wand and flicked. A bouquet of purple roses flew from behind a tree. "Thank you for being here, my love."
She looked at the flowers. "I've never told you I love this color." The fragrance filled her soul with delight.
"They also carry a promise." He lowered his head until a small gap was left between their lips. "I'll do everything to return safely into your embrace." Hermione closed the distance. Tears of joy pouring down her face.
"It was nice of you to join me." Luna skipped next to Harry after they left the Runes classroom.
"The pleasure was all mine." He ruffled playfully her hair. "Just don't give Professor Babbling a stroke." He chuckled.
The blonde hopped onto his back. "But she asked me to sit at my designated spot." Luna's charming smile could melt steel.
"I don't think my lap was what she had in mind." The older witch wasn't amused when the girl jumped in to his lap
"As a runes teacher she should be more precise." She made her way like a monkey to Harry's front. "And this is my little piece of heaven." She grinned.
"Never change Little Moon." He whispered as he placed her down. "You know I'm already with Hermione."
The girl's lips pressed into his hand. "Nice try." He chuckled at her confused expression as he blocked her kiss.
Not giving up she took out a letter and passed it to him. "Xenophilius Lovegood?" He guessed by the initials.
"Daddy agreed so now you're mine." She winked and left the perplexed boy behind.
Harry looked around and saw people whispering and pointing at him. "How lovely." The disgruntled youth decided to enter his little sanctuary for some much needed target practice.
"You may enter." Harry opened the door cautiously observing the sitting professor. The piles of parchment seemed to be bigger than last time he visited.
"I came for my detention, professor." He said.
The witch motioned him to take a sit. After a couple of minutes she finally addressed him. "The professors are satisfied with your work Mr. Potter." Her lips slightly curled into a smile. "A surprising outcome I should say."
Harry felt embarrassed. "I've found a reason to do better professor."
McGonagall raised her brow. "Only one Mr. Potter?" She looked at him with suspicion.
He nervously gulped under her scrutinizing gaze. "Every knowledge that can raise my chance of survival is welcomed." He felt his palms were sweaty.
The strict woman took out a box of matches. "Show me your progress."
Harry was up to the challenge. He turned the matches to various shapes and sizes. First he showed his prowess in inanimate transfiguration. After that he changed them to various animated creatures.
"Impressive work Mr. Potter." She judged the details and smoothness of the transformations. She walked towards a cabinet and brought out a box filled with many misshapen objects. "Since you've showed yourself able, you can help me with this."
Two hours went by with Harry marking the works of younger years. "This was the last piece Professor."
She took the parchment and roughly checked his evaluations. "Well done. Your detention is over. You may leave now Mr. Potter."
Exhausted he stood up and grabbed the doorknob. But before he could close the door McGonagall continued. "Could you please tell Ms. Granger that I'm thankful, Mr. Potter?" He looked up and saw her smiling.
Confused by her happiness he asked. "Whatever for, Professor?"
"For making me win of course." She chuckled at his astonished face. "I wish you a good night, Harry Potter." And the door shut leaving him standing alone in the corridor.
The fresh couple was warming up before the fireplace. Hermione was playing with his unruly hair as his head laid in her lap.
"At least she has a sense of humor." He said. "Seeing her smile is a special event in itself."
Hermione kissed him on the forehead. "This means war." She whispered. "After the first task of course. Priorities and such." Harry giggled at her blush.
"My Mione is a prankster?" He checked her temperature. "Maybe you're an imposter.
"Touch my cheeks and I'll bite." She showed her pearly whites making him stop his assault.
"And how was your evening?" Harry asked.
Hermione shared her findings. "Most things aren't allowed." She thought about reinforcing his clothes but those take too much time and he can't prepare in advance. "And blinding a dragon is useless."
"Yeah. They surprisingly have a great sense of smell. And agitating them isn't the best option." He chimed in.
"You're not helping." She tugged his nose in displeasure. "It's ridiculous how many dangerous creatures we've faced."
"And we've managed every single time." He smiled.
"We're late Harry." Today was the Hogsmeades weekend. Hermione couldn't wait to finally go there with him, not only as a friend.
"Sorry," he pecked her on the cheek, "I had to get creative." He forgot how abysmal his wardrobe was. So he spent some time salvaging the situation with a couple of spells.
Amusement flashed in her eyes. "We can buy something better in town." She took his hand. "When is your appointment?"
"Three Broomsticks at 1 o'clock." He replied. "Let's go."
The carriages slowly brought the students to Hogsmeade. Harry was pulled by Hermione into a popular clothing shop.
"Not books?" He smirked at her flushed face.
She overlooked a couple of models and handed them to him. "I'll make you pay." She gloated seeing his reaction.
After buying a couple of sets of new clothing she took her tired boyfriend on a buying spree. Books, quills, parchment and more found it's way into Harry's arms.
"Will a simple sorry suffice?" With puppy eyes he stared at the witch.
Ignoring his meager attempt she continued piling up what she deemed necessary. Fortunately for him it was about time for his appointment.
He put the bags at a table in the bar. "I'll get you for this." She huffed at his threat. "You're lucky that I love you." He smirked as she blushed from the cheering that ensued from his confession.
Chuckling he asked Madam Rosemerta if his guest arrived. Nodding she brought him to a private room. Upon entry he was stopped by an auror who checked him with a couple of spells.
Madam Bones stood up. "I'm sorry for that, but those are necessary." She walked towards the boy.
He hidden his displeasure. "Not a problem." He shook her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
The older witch cast a scrutinizing gaze. "I've heard a couple of things about you Mr. Potter." She returned to her seat. "Come join me. We have much to discuss."
Harry sat in front of her. "Hopefully you heard only good things Madam."
"I care about what I see." She sipped her tea. "What can you tell me about your accusations."
"I didn't accuse anyone?" He smiled. "Just told a couple of my adventures."
She smirked. "Twelve year olds don't go on adventures Mr. Potter." She took out a self-writing quill.
"Let's start from the beginning." She started asking him questions. Harry answered truthfully, leaving a couple of details for himself.
"So Mr. Black is your Godfather?" She massaged her eyes. "I hate that man."
"I believe the Minister isn't as beloved as the press portrays him to be." Harry hoped this will give Sirius some breathing space.
Sighing she said. "I was talking about Dumbledore. The Minister is predictable in his idiocity."
Harry nodded. "So what will become of this?" He pointed towards the notes.
"I'll look into it. If it's true then even the Minister can't continue this line of pursuit. " No trial means no verdict. Meaning his godfather was innocent in the eye of law.
"Mr. Crouch won't be happy with this." He rolled his eyes thinking about Crouch Jr. playing hide and seek in the castle.
Bones scoffed. "He has little support left."
The clock informed them about the passing of time. "We can end it here, Mr. Potter." The woman rose from her chair. "If you remember anything else please contact me through Susan."
"It was my pleasure to meet you Madam." Harry left the room and sat next to his anxiously waiting girlfriend.
"What took you so long?" Ron handed him a Butterbeer. "We thought they took you?"
Letting out a satisfied burp he told them what transpired. "So now we wait for an official statement." He ended.
"It's outrageous how incompetent they're." Hermione ordered some food for the table.
Harry chose some burgers from the menu." Not the first time adults failed us."
Luna and Ginny joined the trio for late lunch. "Moody was calling for you." The redheaded girl said.
"He's scares still haunt me." Ron shivered. "But he gets a pass."
"Making a fool out of Malfoy isn't a benchmark Ronald." Hermione chastised her friend.
"Professor Moody, hello Hagrid." Harry greeted the men.
"Don't forget what is at stake." The disfigured auror remarked. "You'll have time later for messing around."
Hagrid shot down a pint of ale. "Good to see yer 'Arry. I was goin' to send yer an owl to meet me latter tonight."
Restraining himself from outing the criminal Harry said with a forced smile."I'll be fine professor. I'm sure the organizers wouldn't needlessly endanger the foreign students." It's up to debate whether they had done any critical thinking about the implications of such measures.
A gruff laughter scared the nearby eavesdropping students. "You'll do well in life, Mr. Potter." Alastor chugged something from his hidden flask. "Stay vigilant boy." He passed through the crowd making some people fall down in the process.
"You wanted to see me Hagrid?" Harry smiled at the big oaf of a man.
"Come see me before midnight today." He replied. "I have something to show yer. Don't forget your cape."
Saying goodbye for now Harry returned to his table and shared the news.
"Can I go with you?" Her eyes filled with curiosity.
Harry looked at her in bewilderment. "So you can nag the poor things to death?" A statement for which he got rewarded with a slap on the arm.
Ron for once stood o Hermione's side, sort of. "I don't think that's possible mate. They're resilient creatures." For which he also got what he deserved.
Harry burst out in laughter making his friends look towards him in confusion. After calming down he finally said. "I wasn't talking about them." He winked at Hermione's rising blush.
Their friend understood the hidden meaning and joined his mate in another bout of laughter. Seeing their audacity she eventually joined in, happy that some things never change.