Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
-oOo-
Chapter 527 Jan 24
-oOo-
This time on Duel of Fate: Longpiddle is still a dink called out by Snape. Things go well between Harry and Hanna as they go on their first date. Neville enters the second task…
-oOo-
January 25, 1995Hogwarts, Scotland
Harry was walking with Sue and Padma as they left Defence to hurry towards the dungeons. "Have the two of you gotten the report done on the undead?"
"Over the weekend. I can meet you in the common room or the library after dinner if you want," Harry offered. "I need someone to check my Astronomy charts for tomorrow night."
"What did you get for the inferi?" Sue queried.
"Fire," Harry responded quickly.
Sue rolled her eyes while Padma giggled. "Of course, you use fire on them, but what is the most effective? I said a flame whip."
"That's alright if you have only one, and you can cast a flame whip. Dad says it's very tricky, especially since our family magic doesn't like fire," Padma said dubiously.
"Sue and I can. I went for a flame wall to hold them at bay, then use a flame whip or a dragon flame spell. If you can't do that, freezing them works as well," Harry pointed out.
"Daft," Padma scolded herself. "I should have thought of that. Well, I have time to fix it."
They were at the moving stairwells.
Harry laughed at Padma. "I won't disagree."
Padma gave him an annoyed look. Sue smacked the back of his head. "Just hit him. I haven't gotten him trained yet."
"Oi! What am I? A dog?" Harry complained as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Pretty much," Sue said with a smirk. Padma giggled at them.
Towards the bottom of the stairs, they passed the Slytherin and Gryffindors heading up to the third floor. Sue gave Zabini a smile as he winked at her when they passed each other. Padma watched the boy walk by, turning her head to watch him. "He's checking out your arse," Padma said in a muffled voice, a slightly scandalous tone to it.
Harry chuckled. "Sue's been after Zabini for a bit now."
"He looks fit," Sue commented, no hint of embarrassment.
"He's hot," Padma said, turning back to look where they were walking.
"…we should have stayed," Hermione's voice came around the corner before them. Harry looked to her. She was arguing with Weasel.
"He'll be fine, Hermione. Besides, Moody threatened to have us run laps in the hallway if we were late again without a note," Weasel commented. The boy caught Harry's eye and snarled at him.
Harry just rose a brow. He would beat the little Weasel again if he needed. Hermione caught his eye next, a sad look in her eyes. They hadn't studied together since that day. Harry's anger at her had passed. He understood her defending her boyfriend. Hannah had done something like that… though they weren't dating. He just wished Longpiddle wasn't such an arse. Hermione was a good person that deserved better. It didn't matter that he heard the boy was much friendlier to everyone but him and Malfoy. She still deserved better.
"Don't tell me you are pining after Granger now too?" Sue asked, looking at where Harry was looking before they passed them.
"Bloody dick," Weasel muttered.
"Weasel," Harry replied, making the boy's face redden before Hermione dragged her friend away.
Harry snorted. Sue watched them go. "You would wipe the floor with his carrot top."
Harry laughed.
"You can't get into more trouble. Mandy and I just made back the points you lost," Padma said exasperated.
"I earned fourteen points since then," Harry countered.
"True, but if you get banned from the Easter Tournament in Italy, I'll kick your arse myself, before Master Flitwick can even get his wand on you," Sue threatened.
"Such sweet words. I see why Blaise likes you," Harry said back sweetly.
Padma laughed as Sue glared at him.
When they made it down to the potions room, they lined up outside the open door. By second week of first year, they all knew to line up outside the room until Professor Snape allowed them in. He looked at the crowd as they listened at the open door.
"What's going on?" he asked Kevin.
"Shhhhh," Kevin said.
"… they are Death Eaters!" the angry voice of Longpiddle came out the door.
Right away Harry tensed, his wand coming to his hand.
"That is enough, Longbottom! Do not talk about things you don't know about. I'll see you in my office tonight and the next two weeks!" Professor Snape snapped at Longpiddle.
"Defending your fellow Death Eaters!" Longpiddle yelled back.
Everyone took in a collective breath.
There was a deafening silence until they could all hear Snape say, "Get. Out. I'll see you in the headmaster's office at lunch."
A moment later, Longpiddle stalked out of the room. "Bloody Death Eater," Longbottom uttered with loathing when he saw Harry.
Harry gave the boy a cold look, power building with each thrum of his heart. His wand started to come up until Sue put a hand on his arm. Longbottom quickly went by. Sue followed the boy with her eyes. "I'll take care of him," she promised Harry.
The Hufflepuffs were on the other side of the door. Hannah looked concerned.
Harry was having to close his eyes and take some deep steadying breaths. He started when a hand touched his. He opened his eyes to see the blue eyes of Hannah looking into his.
"Take him and calm him down," Sue told Hannah, letting go of his wand hand.
"Your parents weren't Death Eaters and I know you would never hurt any of us," Hannah whispered.
Snape chose that time to step out of his classroom. His face was an emotionless mask. "In," he commanded.
They all moved. Harry saw the man's eyes flicker down to Hannah holding his hand. Usually, Snape would snap at students for the PDA, even if it was just between friends, but today his eyes cast to the next person in line.
Hannah pulled him to a table on the left of the room. "We are partners today," she told him.
Harry let out a long breath when she let go of his hand before placing his bag down and mechanically pulling out his brewing tools. When he lain them out on the table he quietly said, "Thank you."
Hannah gave him a sad smile. "Longbottom is wrong, you know."
He nodded.
The door slammed behind them. "Today you will be making an ageing potion. The directions are on the board and ingredients are in the cupboard. You have an hour and a half. Lastly, make sure you add the newt spleens after stirring twelve times and before the bananas. I don't want a disaster like Longbottom made last class," Snape told them.
Harry let out a little grin at that. The perfect Boy-Who-Lived always failed at potions.
Hannah gave him a smirk. "Not a word," she told him as though knowing he was going to say something about Longpiddle.
"Fine," he said back to her.
About twenty minutes later they had their potion simmering before the twelve stir step. Snape came by, examining their potion down his long nose. "Good, Potter and Abbott. I see you are not dunderheads like many of the Gryffindors in my prior class. Two points each," the man said, moving to the next table with Megan and Susan.
Harry smiled now. He had one upped Longpiddle again.
-oOo-
Lunchtime...Hogwarts, Scotland
Professor Severus Snape stalked through the halls towards the gargoyle that led to Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore's office. As he did, his anger grew to think about what that arrogant ponce of a Longbottom had said about Lily Potter.
The woman hadn't been a saint, far from it at times, but she had not been a Death Eater. She didn't have that type of mean bone in her body. Yes, Lily would do what she needed to protect her family, but she was not a cold-blooded killer, nor was she the typical xenophobic wizard that thought their magic was being stolen from their families by upstarts and mudbloods. The fact that most of those family trees were so intermarried that the furthest most went was a second or third cousin before finding a spouse, didn't seem to factor into their mindset.
No. Most of the time Lily Evans had been the nicest and most loyal person one could find. Unfortunately, like Severus had found out, once you broke her trust, she could be vindictive and cold, rarely letting you back in again.
As much as Severus didn't want to at the start, he saw many of those traits in her son. He wasn't the arrogant snot that James Potter had been. No. Harry Potter was far more an Evans than a Potter when it came to his study habits and general personality. That didn't mean that he didn't have the Potter blood flowing through him. It was most pronounced in the boys duelling and transfiguration skills, but the way Potter had taken to Potions, and from what he understood to Charms and Runes, the boy was an Evans.
When the Potters and Longbottoms had been killed, Albus had asked him to protect the Boy-Who-Lived. Albus just hadn't expressed which boy it was. Severus hadn't decided until both Longbottom and Potter had come to Hogwarts. When Potter went to Ravenclaw instead of Gryffindor, Severus had made a silent promise to his old friend he would see what her son was like.
It had been a good decision.
The Longbottom boy was a little shy, but once he had gained a few friends he became just as rash and impetuous as many a Gryffindor. The boy had power, but he showed mediocrity in his classes. Except for Herbology, Charms and Transfiguration, the boy was a solid Acceptable to a low Exceeds Expectation in all his other classes.
Potter, on the other hand, had the potential to excel at anything. He was a duelling, charms and transfiguration prodigy if Minerva and Filius were correct. The boy had proven as much in the three tournaments he had participated in last year. As a thirteen-year-old in his first duelling tournaments he had finished in the top three each time.
Snape saw the same potential in potions, but Potter just didn't seem interested, even though he was keeping a low Outstanding in the class.
Potter was also very even in his dealings with people. The only two he had ever seen Potter have any animosity towards was Longbottom and his stupid godson, Draco. Draco was far from stupid, but he had his father's propensity to poke sleeping dragons and not understand that Malfoys were not always at the top. With Longbottom, Severus understood. The boy was a prat, and like his gran, always tried to stomp anyone that didn't agree with her.
With Potter, on the other hand, Draco was just being idiotic. Severus suspected his godson picked on him because Potter was mostly innocuous, until you got him roused, then Potter was a powerhouse. Potter also was the heir to the Blacks, which Lucius had thought would go to Draco, and which Draco was jealous of.
His thoughts were interrupted as he made it to the open door of the headmaster's office.
"...I have to practice for the second task. I can't be in detention for the next two weeks," Longbottom was complaining.
Severus stepped into the office as quietly as he could. Minerva was sitting in a chair as Longbottom paced before the desk of Albus Dumbledore. The man had an annoying grandfatherly face on display.
"Neville, I understand your distress, but do you understand what you did wrong?" Albus asked.
"I only spoke the truth," Neville grumbled.
Severus nostrils flared as he was unable to keep his occlumency in place. "Headmaster, Longbottom has insulted and lain false claims for years against members of Slytherin, the Potters and others. I demand he either get a suspension, expelled or provide proof of his claims."
Longbottom whirled around. "My gran has shown proof," Neville snapped.
"Neville, please take a seat. The evidence that you talk about has been presented to the Wizengamot and was proven insufficient or erroneous," Albus said in a placating tone.
"I do not support a suspension or expulsion, Albus. He is required by the Goblet of Fire to participate in the tasks, and he needs the lessons he has," Minerva stated.
"He accused me of still being an active Death Eater. I will not stand for such allegations," Severus said coolly.
"Is this true, Neville?" Albus asked in a disappointed tone.
"He is! Gran told me what he did," Neville spat in his anger.
Severus did his best to keep his cool.
Yes. At one time he thought he was doing the right thing. For two years he proudly held his Mark as a high achievement, but with his clear talent in potions, the Dark Lord used him as a spy, healer and potions prodigy as he earned his Mastery. He had only committed two murders. One was the night he earned his Mark. He still suffered nightmares at times to see the witch's face as he hit her with a killing curse. The second time had been when one of his spy missions went wrong and he hit an Auror, Verne McKinnon, with a sectum sempra. The man bled out in the middle of the spell fight.
Since the night the Dark Lord had decided to go after the Potters, Severus had been Albus' man. Once Lily was dead, Severus had been on his own side, having to placate Albus in his belief that the Dark Lord was still alive. Something he hadn't thought possible until Potter's first year. Longbottom may have defeated Quirrell, but it was obvious Potter had figured it out long before that night and given Granger breadcrumbs to follow.
"I assure you, Severus has my complete faith and has repented for his mistakes," Albus said to Longbottom.
"I want him expelled, Headmaster," Severus pushed.
"You would kill him if you did that," Minerva stated, sounding appalled.
"Maybe he would learn proper respect that way," Severus couldn't stop his words before they came out.
"That is enough, Severus," Albus rebuked him. Severus gave the headmaster a level gaze, forcing all his emotions down. "I'm sure Neville didn't really mean what he said. I also think serving detention for the next two weeks is a little much given his studies. Neville, you will report to Professor Snape for the next two nights."
Severus' nostrils flared again.
Minerva looked mollified. "And what about Potter? Longbottom says he was saying things to him."
"I observed them when Longbottom left my classroom. Potter didn't say a word. Longbottom accused Potter of being a Death Eater," Severus told them.
Albus put some fingers to the bridge of his nose. "The Longbottoms and Potters used to be the strongest alliance in the Wizengamot. They both serve the light. You should not be saying such things," Albus said, looking to Neville.
"The Potters betrayed my parents! They were Death Eaters and I'm sure they were celebrating..."
"It was the Lestranges and Crouch that killed the Potters," Severus snapped, a look of hatred for the boy crossing his face. "The Potters were not Death Eaters."
Neville snorted. "Gran says that they went after the Potters for betraying Voldemort. Who knew a small boy would kill him," Neville said, pulling up the fringe of hair to expose his lightning shaped scar on his forehead.
Severus snarled, his anger at how the Longbottoms had gone after Lily's reputation and son for the last thirteen years boiling up.
"Severus," Albus said with some power to his voice. Severus hadn't realized he was reaching for his wand.
Minerva looked a little alarmed at them both. "Mr Longbottom! That is not the type of language or behaviour I expect out of your mouth. I will have to call on your grandmother again. This feud is getting out of hand."
"My parents were murdered!" Neville cried out.
"As were Potter's," Severus countered.
"It was all very tragic," Albus said. With a sigh, he levelled his gaze to Longbottom. "Neville, I want you to leave Mister Potter alone. I will talk to Professor Flitwick to inform Mister Potter he is to do the same."
"Longbottom is only going to get a reprimand? And I have never seen Potter start any of the altercations," Severus stated.
"He has certainly ended them," Minerva said with a hint of annoyance.
"Be that as it may," Albus said over them in a sharp voice. "Neville has learned his lesson and will not say anything like that again."
After a moment, Longbottom let out a huffy breath. "Yes, Headmaster."
"Very good. You can go get lunch, Neville."
The boy stood up, flashing Severus a nasty look as he walked out of the office.
"Albus, you have to put a stop to this. That is three times now in the last year that Longbottom and Potter have gone to the hospital for a fight," Minerva told him. "This time it was three Houses that had students hurt in the fight."
"They are just being boys," Albus placated. "Neville is angry because Augusta keeps telling him facts that have been proven to be untrue."
Severus snorted. "The boy is an arrogant twit that is going to get himself or Potter seriously hurt if he doesn't learn to control himself. He is getting more unruly in my class and deserves two weeks of detention for the comments he made about Potter and his parents today, not to mention the lip he gives to me."
"I have heard complaints about how hard you are on him, Severus," Minerva stated.
"No harder than anyone else that slacks in my classroom," he replied. "If I remember, I have a few complaints from my Slytherins over the years for how you seem to be overly hard on them at times."
Minerva bristled. "Like you, only when they slack or cause other problems."
"That is enough, both of you. Severus, you will go easier on Neville. I expect both of you to monitor this and ensure it does not get out of hand," Albus ordered.
"Albus, you need to speak to both of them and their guardians," Minerva demanded.
"As I said, they are just boys. Both of them are still young. If we just keep their tempers down, everything will work out," Albus told them.
Minerva didn't look pleased. "If they end up in the hospital again, I am going to press for both of them to be suspended for a week."
Severus snorted. "Again, I've never seen Potter start it."
"I will not suspend or expel either of them. Minerva, if you would, please go and make sure everything is well with lunch," Albus suggested.
Minerva glared at the headmaster. "Albus, you can't keep sweeping this under the carpet," she stated before walking out.
Albus pinched the bridge of his nose again. "Do you have to antagonize the boy so?"
"I didn't start it today," Severus said like a petulant child.
"No, but you are the adult. You promised to keep your animosity of Frank Longbottom out of this. Personally, I am surprised you still back Potter. It was James Potter and Sirius Black that you had a feud with," Albus said, opening his electric blue eyes to look at Severus.
"I have no qualm with Frank Longbottom. We resolved are argument before his death. As for Potter's father and his friend, I choose not to see them in the boy. He is far more like Lily," Severus replied.
"Then why do you hate Neville so much?" Albus asked.
Severus gave his employer a look as though saying 'you even have to ask?'.
Albus shook his head. "Do you really hold it over Neville's head for the actions of his grandmother?"
"The woman has dragged Lily's name through the mud by any means she can and almost disinherited her son," Severus said in a cold voice. "Her devil spawn grandson is doing his best to make sure Lily is hated throughout Hogwarts as well."
Albus sighed. "After all these years, you still love her?"
Severus didn't say a word.
"I must remind you of your oath. You swore to protect and keep the Boy-Who-Lived alive and healthy until I release you of that oath," Albus told him. The old, congenial man was gone and the harder warrior and politician showed through.
Severus felt a fit of rage. He shot out of his seat and took a moment to collect himself. "You don't need to remind me of my oath, Albus. I know what I said that day. I swore to protect the Boy-Who-Lived. I have done that faithfully. I just question which Boy-Who-Lived you meant when you had me swear that. Should it come down between Potter and Longbottom, I will choose the boy who survived his parents."
He turned, his cloak billowing, as he stepped towards the door.
"Severus," Albus snapped out.
He stopped and turned back to Albus. The old man looked concerned this time while looking a little pale. "I had you swear to protect the Boy-Who-Lived. You know I meant Neville Longbottom, the boy of whom the prophesy spoke of."
"Mayhap, Headmaster, but that is not the wording you had me swear. Harry Potter is a boy-who-lived after his parents were murdered, as much as Neville Longbottom is. If you force me to choose which to keep alive, well, as you said, Headmaster, I still love her," Severus said in a low voice before continuing out of the room.
Albus paled more.
-oOo-
February 12, 1995Hogsmeade, Scotland
Harry stepped down from the coach first. It was a bit of a blustery day. Not the best to be in Hogsmeade, but not the worst.
He turned to the carriage, trying to be the gentleman that Susan said he should be. Hannah moved to get out, giving him a pleasant smile to see his hand held up to her. In the last month, they hadn't done much more than hold hands occasionally, or Hannah peck him on the cheek. Truth be told, he hadn't ever done even that before and found himself extremely nervous about today, though he was doing his best not to show it.
Like him, she was in a heavy winter cloak. Unlike most, though, it wasn't black. Instead, it was a corn yellow, much like the Hufflepuff colour and a shade darker than her hair. Her blue eyes stood out as she smiled at him. "Thank you," she said.
"This is so sweet," Megan said from behind Hannah.
"You could just gag, couldn't you," Sue said in a disgusted voice.
"Oh, leave off. It's cute," Susan defended him.
Harry's face flushed. As much as he would have liked to come down into Hogsmeade with just Hannah, they had all gotten int the same carriage. Even with the cold, blustery, overcast weather, most of the school had been clamouring to get out and Filch was forcing as many as he could into each carriage, no doubt looking to get back into the warmer castle as soon as possible.
Hannah's smile grew mischievous. "They are just jealous they couldn't find anyone to go with."
"Speak for yourself, Abbot. I'm meeting Zabini at eleven," Sue commented, wrapping her own cloak around her as she stepped down. "What? No hand?"
"Not unless you want me to flip you over," Harry snarked.
Sue put a hand to her chest. "Oh, what a gentleman. Abbott, you really know how to pick them."
"Oh, leave off, Sue," Susan admonished, getting out behind her. "You two go off and have some fun."
"Thanks, mum," Hannah said under her breath.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't," Megan said with a big smile.
"And what is that?" Sue asked.
"We'll, I don't get on my knees on the first date," Megan replied with a cheeky grin. "Though, I do like being a good girl."
Both Hannah and Harry flushed more. Harry couldn't help but peek at Hannah, who was glaring at her friend. Megan and Sue started to laugh. Susan reached up, grabbing both girls by their ears. "I said leave them alone."
Megan and Sue both cried out in pain. Sue went for her wand and Susan warned, "You may be a good duellist, but I've been taught by Hit Wizards."
"Let me go!" Sue said, as Susan pulled them away.
"So, ah," Harry started when they were alone.
"Yeah. I love them, but at times I really don't," Hannah commented.
"Right. Uhm, since they are heading towards Honeydukes, I thought we could start there, unless, ah, maybe, you want to go somewhere else?"
Hannah rubbed her hands together. "Somewhere warm?"
Harry looked at his watch. It was only twenty past ten. "Tea?"
Hannah gave him a huge smile. "Please."
Harry led her off towards the place he heard many talk about at times. On the outside, Madam Puddifoots Tea Shoppe looked like it was cozy inside. It was a mint green building with lacy curtains in the windows. Inside there were more than two dozen small tables with either two or four chairs in a room that looked twice the size of what it should be from the outside.
Harry looked at the pink tablecloths, small cherubs flying around the room and any type of gaudy Valentine's Day decoration you could imagine. Harry immediately wanted to run, but Hannah looked enthralled, so Harry motioned for her to step before him.
Still being early, only one other couple was here. Sitting in a dark corner Harry wondered if the way they were attached at the lips was healthy or not. "Isn't this perfect?" Hannah asked, weaving her fingers into his at her excitement.
He looked to her beaming face and agreed, "Perfect."
At least something in the room was.
"Hello, dears. Would you like a table for two?" a kindly looking woman in a pink apron and her hair up in a bun asked them.
"Yes, please," Harry said.
"Can we sit over there?" Hannah asked, indicating a corner by the windows.
"Of course, deary. Just this way. We have a nice House blend or all the normal teas if you like. Any treats or sandwiches?" the woman, Madam Puddifoot Harry assumed, offered.
"Just tea, please," Harry said, looking to Hannah.
"Just tea," she agreed.
Before they sat, Hannah took of her cloak to hang on a hook on the wall. As she did, Harry felt his mouth go dry. She was in a very flattering mint green dress that dipped low enough to show off most of her upper chest, but just barely hint at her cleavage. It tucked in a little to her waist, then flared out. She spun a little to turn back to him. Her eyes drifted to his face, but he was too busy watching her dress settle.
Hannah's eyes took on a glint as she cleared her throat when his eyes wandered farther up when she put her arms under her chest. She wasn't as large as Susan or Lavender, but Hannah wasn't small either. "Do I look alright?" she asked.
Harry cleared his throat. He knew his face took on a little colour even as he tried to use his occlumency skills. "You look beautiful," Harry told her truthfully.
Hannah's smile was all he needed to know he hadn't done something wrong. She motioned to the chair. "Oh, right," Harry said, feeling even more embarrassed.
Hannah giggled as he moved to pull the chair out for her. "Usually you are smoother than this," she teased him.
"Well, first date, you know," he told her.
That glint in her eye hadn't left. "Mine too."
Harry took up the chair across from her. The tea table was round and would be just large enough to hold their drinks, but not much more. Once they sat, Harry had no clue what to say. Hannah looked just as tongue tied. It was a few moments of awkwardness that was only bridge by Harry reaching for Hannah's hand this time. She had done that many times over the last few weeks.
Madam Puddifoot came over and quietly put the tea, a bowl of sugar and milk on the table. She gave them an amused look as though she had seen this many times before. "If you need anything else, just get my attention. Happy Valentine's Day, dears."
Hannah giggled as she walked away. "Aren't you going to say anything?"
"What is there to say? I usually talk to you about homework and other school stuff and that just doesn't seem right today," he told her.
She giggled nervously this time. "I don't know. How about what your plans are over Easter?"
Harry shrugged. "Sue and I will be in Italy over Easter weekend for a tournament."
"Oh, that sounds like fun. I've never been to Italy before," she told him.
Harry smiled. "I told you all about it last year," he replied.
"I know, but I've never been. Can you bring back something?" she requested.
"What do you want this time?"
Hannah shrugged. "Something special."
Harry felt the awkwardness sliding off as his friend Hannah finally came back to the way they had been before Christmas. As they warmed up and drank their tea, they talked about his last trip to Italy and what her family was going to do.
By the time they were ready to brave the cold again, the tea shoppe was filling in. Harry took her cloak and put it over her shoulders. Hannah put both her hands on his. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," he said, surprised when she pulled his arms around her. He moved in close, hugging her from behind. He hadn't realized that he was a good four or so inches taller than her. When she let go of him, she pulled back and led her out as she took his left hand in both of hers.
"Honeydukes?" he asked.
While inside, the blustery day had ushered in a thick cloud layer. "Can we hurry?" she asked.
Harry and her ran against the wind to make it to the packed candy store. Inside, she pressed her back tight against him so they could press between the other students in the crowded store. Harry wasn't complaining, especially when he slipped an arm around her waist, and she put a hand over it as her other hand held the bag they were both using to stock up on. Harry liked how she pressed against him. His body did too, making him hope she didn't notice.
When they made it out, a cold mist had started to fall.
"Does it always have to be so cold up here?" Hannah complained, moving so that her hips were moving with his.
"Here," Harry said, taking out his wand. "Calfacio," he muttered.
Hannah shook with giggles as the warming charm too root. "What?" Harry asked.
"I love you, Harry, but you can be so dense at times," she told him.
"What did I miss?" He was choosing to ignore part of what she just said, not thinking she meant in the way he thought she might. They had been friends for years, but this was only their first date.
She took his hand and put it over her shoulder. "As much as I like your charms, when a girl says she's cold on a date she usually means she wants you to be closer."
"Oh," he said understanding her now. He pulled her in closer as she looked to be going to kiss him on the cheek. He didn't miss how she missed and her lips caught the edge of his. Harry stopped in the middle of the cobbled road, the area where their lips had met tingling some. Looking at her a little surprised, that spark she had in her eyes earlier was different. He felt a pull to her that he hadn't before. "Did you mean to do that?"
She bit her lip. "Maybe," she admitted.
His green eyes found the look in her blue eyes to be really attractive. His logical mind was screaming at him to try to kiss her. His hormones were telling him to drag her into the alley over there like many boys talked about.
He landed somewhere in-between, leaning down and softly capturing her lips. He had envisioned something like this before, but what it felt like at night in his bed was nothing like this. Her lips were soft, slightly moist because she had licked them just before his had touched hers.
It also brought out butterflies in him he had never felt before. He moved so their fronts were pressing together. Hannah wrapped her arms around his waist, her lips moving. It was like she was trying to taste him, and Harry met her, hoping to forever remember the cherry taste on her lips from the cherry sours she just had in the shoppe.
Their first kiss was broken when someone yelled, "About time, Potter!"
He screwed his face to find Sue giving him a thumbs up as she was led into Puddifoots by Zabini.
"I'm going to kill her," he muttered.
Hannah giggled. "Not if I get to her first."
"It's cold out. How about we go to Zonko's and then get another warmup at the Three Broomsticks," Harry said.
Hannah turned her blue eyes to him. "I don't know about you, but I was starting to feel warm," she said, a nice dusting of red coming to her cheeks.
Harry grinned. "Well, if that warms you up…" he said, leaning down to her lips again.
-oOo-
February 23, 1995Hogwarts, Scotland
For later February, the Highlands of Scotland were warm being above freezing today, as apparent by the completely iceless lake. The stiff breeze could have had some to do with that as well, but Hannah didn't really care as much as she cuddled into Harry as the boat bopped along the choppy waters to the stands. She hid her face into the crook of his arm so that the chilly air didn't bother her too much. Harry's arm around her, and half his cloak, helped as well.
"How much was Fred and George offering for a Cedric win?" Megan asked from before them.
"Two to one," Susan said. "The long shot was Delacour. Six to one to win and two to one that she would be the second out."
Behind them, Sue snorted. "All she is is a pretty face and a big rack. Her bust size is smarter than she is."
Hannah giggled. She couldn't help it. "Most boys would love to see her bust size."
"She is pretty hot," Kevin Entwhistle said from next to Sue.
"Don't tell me you like her too?" Megan scoffed.
"He's had a hardon for her for weeks now," Sue said.
"OI! I have not," Kevin retorted intelligently.
Harry laughed next to her. "Sue, this is why you don't have many friends."
"Not my fault that most don't like the truth," Sue retorted.
"Isn't that the truth," Susie replied, laughing at Kevin's face. "Oh, it's alright, Kevin. Maybe if you ask a girl out you can find out their bust size someday."
"You mean like you?" Kevin shot back, probably not meaning what he said.
Hannah looked up. Susan eyed Kevin up and down. "Is that supposed to be you asking me out?"
Kevin's eyes went a little wide as his mouth opened in shock. His mouth worked a few times. "I... ah... I mean... would you go to Hogsmeade with me?" he asked, sounding very unsure of himself.
Hannah looked to Susie, interested to see what her friend would do. She had her suspicions after what happened at the Yule ball. Susan raised a brow. "As a friend."
Kevin looked crestfallen. "Oh. Well, we could do that."
Susan smiled at him.
Harry cringed. He wouldn't make that mistake again. "Would you like to go with me?"
Hannah beamed and moved to peck Harry. "Thought you would never ask."
Megan and Sue made gagging noises. "Can you get any sweeter?"
"Leave them alone," Susan stuck up for them.
"Well, being sweet is better than being sour all the time," Harry shot back to Sue. She did the mature thing and stuck out her tongue, making most of them laugh.
Once to the stands, they found a good spot close to the front edge. She gladly sidled closer to Harry as he sat at the edge of the row and blocked most of the wind. Sue grumbled about needing someone to block the wind for her.
"What happened with you and Zabini," she asked.
"Oh, we meet time to time. I don't think either of us really want to settle for someone yet," Sue replied.
"So, just sampling the well?" Megan said.
Sue shrugged. "Exploring."
Susan had sat next to Ernie. Soon they were joined by most of their friends. Luna, Michael, Mandy, Padma, Lily and Justin joined them. They easily talked and joked amongst themselves until a band started to play, then Bagman's voice echoed over the lake. "Welcome. Welcome. One and all. We are just about to start the second task of the Triwizard Tournament," he called out to cheering. "Yes! This is extremely exciting. Extremely exciting. As you all know, our champions had to gather a gold egg in the last task..."
Susan nudged her knee. "Longbottom looks a little concerned."
"He is only a fourth year," she replied.
"Where is Hermione?" Harry asked from next to her as he looked around, an equally worried look on his face.
"Why are you worried about her?" Hannah questioned, a little annoyed. She hadn't talked to the girl in the last month.
"... they have to get what they miss most. At the bottom of the lake each will find a person that they each care for most dearly..."
Hannah had a pit form in her stomach. Some people cheered around them, others didn't look pleased.
"They put a hostage in the lake?" Megan asked a little surprised.
"I'm sure the Ministry and Dumbledore won't allow them to get hurt," Kevin replied.
"Maybe," Padma put in. "Are we going to be able to see this?"
"... an hour to complete and get their person to the surface..."
"I don't see anything," Sue commented.
"So, they just expect us to sit here and watch nothing?" Harry asked. "Who was the moron that organized this?"
Sue snorted. "I don't know, but this is ridiculous. Anyone want to go back to the school?"
Harry pulled her in closer. "Do you want to stay?"
"Not really if all we are going to do is look at the lake, but we have to support Cedric," she told him.
"...at the cannon, you can start," Bagman announced.
When the cannon sounded, they all cheered for Cedric, then soon sat. They chatted with each other, gentle murmuring and the occasional burst of laughter or ruckus interrupted the quiet day. As they sat, Hannah had been building up her courage. She caught Harry's attention by kissing his cheek then kissing him when he turned to look at her. "Do you want to go get a boat back and walk along the edge of the lake?" he asked her.
"We are supporting Cedric. What I wanted to know was if you wanted to come home with me over Easter? I know you have the tournament, but that's only three days, right?"
"Yeah. I will have to ask Professor Flitwick if that is alright," he told her, a pleasant smile on his face. Hannah felt a warm heat in her to see that smile.
"Mum said you can stay the whole time or whenever," she told him. "I wish I could come with you to Italy."
"It's going to be really busy for Sue and I. I probably won't get to spend much time with you," he told her.
She wrapped her arms around him. "I would still like to go."
"Can your mother pay for the room?" Harry asked.
Hannah shook her head. "Mum does well enough with her shoppe, but usually we can only take small vacations that she saves up for over the summer."
Harry stared out at the lake. "I wish I could get away over the summer."
"Maybe you can stay with us for a bit," she said. "I'll talk with mum."
"I don't think the orphanage works that way unless I was going to live somewhere else," he said morosely.
She felt guilty for making him sad. He kissed his chin. "I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean it that way."
"I know, Hannah. I could do a few day trips to Diagon Alley," he said.
"That would be bril," she told him.
"I see something happening in the water," Bagman caught all their attention.
They looked out to an area that looked like bubbles and a huge upheaval was happening below the surface. It was a good hundred yards or more from them.
"What is that?" Susan asked.
Some people started to cheer. That was until the water turned red. Hannah clutched Harry tight. "Bloody hell, that isn't good," Harry muttered. A moment later a few bodies floated to the surface. Someone screamed. "Oh, Merlin, is that Diggory!" Justin cried out.
"AURORS! We need Aurors," a panicked Bagman screamed out through his sonorous charm.
The stands erupted into pandemonium as a spout of water shot up on the edge of the bodies in the water...
-oOo-
The next time on Duel of Fate: Harry the Hero… even if he didn't plan to be.