Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

...

Harry strode casually towards Hogsmeade with Ruth by his side. At first she had been rather silent and Harry had simply assumed that she was nervous about the whole thing. While they were having a date, unless something drastic happened the Hogwarts rumor mill wouldn't believe that the two of them were actively dating. Whether Ruth wanted such a thing to happen, Harry wasn't entirely sure but the main fact was that this wasn't a simple date between the two of them. Everything they did, everything that would be said between them, was going to be watched by dozens of others wishing they were in Ruth's shoes.

"Hey Ruth," said Harry, almost causing his date to jump in shock at her name being said. "Is there anything in particular you need to get hold of while you're in Hogsmeade. Other than five bags of flour?"

There was a small pause before Ruth found herself raising her hand up to hide the giggle that escaped her lips. "Thank you Harry," she said as she lowered her hand. "And I will have you know that to feed all of your housemates I'd barely even need three bags."

"Fair," shrugged Harry. "Can't say that I do much baking on the side."

"Maybe I could teach you one day," said Ruth, giving Harry a gentle smile.

"Maybe, although I'm sure many of your fellow club members would be appreciative of the lesson," mused Harry. "While we may learn a number of spells and how best to utilize them in the world, simple things like cooking and baking isn't something that many students know how to do. I for one don't really feel like having a house elf do everything for me so little things like cooking and laundry are skills which students will need to pick up."

"You're not wrong," said Ruth, raising a finger to her chin. "I guess I could raise the interest by hosting something of a bake off to see what skills students already have, or at least those that have an interest in the topic."

"Given you managed to get signed off for the fashion show, shouldn't be too hard to get something like that off the ground."

"It'll probably be harder," said Ruth. "Can't really have first and second years bake without some sort of supervision."

"So, going to need to workshop that idea a little bit beforehand then," smiled Harry.

"Something to work on, outside of studying that is," stated Ruth.

"So, as a sixth year, what are you learning at the moment?" asked Harry. Partially because sixth year, while being his last actual year at Hogwarts first time round, was something of a blur. With Dumbledore having assigned him to get whatever information he could out of Professor Slughorn, the actual school year kind of just went by. Had Hermione not been helping him with assignments, he feared what scores he would have gotten for his classes.

"Oh, already looking ahead are we?"

"Well, they say that knowledge is power," said Harry with a shrug.

"Alright then Mister Potter," said Ruth. "What about I tell you about the Bubble Head Charm? Not like you could cast it as a third year, but as you say, knowledge is power."

"Very well then Professor Luddle, teach away."

The two of them couldn't help but laugh.

...

"Do you think that he would like some of this?"

"It's food, I'm sure he'll like it."

"But what if it's not special enough."

Hermione couldn't help but hold in a sigh, knowing full well that Lavender was asking her for her full opinion on the matter. The fact the two of them were in Honeydukes, a place which would give her parents absolute nightmares, looking at different sweets for Lavender to give her boyfriend. She was sure any of it would be more than adequate for what Lavender wanted but of course, it couldn't just be something simple. It had to be the best possible thing for Ron otherwise it simply wasn't good enough.

Unfortunately, this wasn't particularly what Hermione wanted to be doing. There was an entire village to explore and so far they hadn't even seen half of the main street. Still though, Lavender had gotten it into her head that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach. Not an untrue statement by any stretch but not one which suddenly dictated what was meant to be an enjoyable time. Staring at mountains of candy and sweets didn't really make an enjoyable situation for Hermione.

She could only hope that Lavender found something worthwhile sometime soon.

...

Draco Malfoy was having a pleasant enough time in Hogsmeade. His date, one Cho Chang from Ravenclaw, had really only agreed to go with him because it would make one Cedric Diggory jealous. He could respect that and given that she was using him in such a way, it only made sense that he would do the same. While he didn't have anybody in particular that he wanted to make jealous, he knew that at some point this information would make its way to his parents, whether through his words or the words of one of his father's associates.

It was something which was unpredictable and would throw his father for a loop. It would mean nothing significant in the long run but it didn't have to. This was Draco saying that he was his own person. Just because his father had his own connections, didn't mean that he had to be latched to those same connections. He was free to associate with who he wished, regardless of whether or not they shared the same beliefs his father did.

There would be some questions raised by the older generation, that was going to happen the moment he didn't go with someone who they deemed worthy. Sadly, their choice on who was worthy was purely dictated by the purity of their blood. It was of some worth, but if his time at Hogwarts had told him anything it was that someone's skill was not dictated by their family line. As loathe as he was to admit it, even the muggle born genius of their year had a bright future ahead of her despite her non-magical upbringing. It might not be the immediate future but when their generation had greater control over Wizarding Britain, who knew what could come of it.

"You want me to show you where you can get a Butterbeer?" asked Cho as she shivered slightly from the cold.

Draco, ever the gentleman, took off his own coat and offered it to her. While it did make him slightly chilly as a result, the fact of the matter was that he was on a date and his date was cold. It was merely the right thing to do. "Lead on."

Cho meanwhile looked at the offered coat with intrigue, wondering whether or not she was being pranked. Seconds ticked by before Cho took the offered garment with a small word of thanks having felt their were no ulterior motives at play. "Alright, follow me," she said cautiously as she lead the way.

Draco, doing his best to ignore the cold biting at his body, truly wished to grab hold of a Butterbeer and plant himself next to a fire and enjoy the company he was with.

...

Ruth Luddle found herself somewhat perplexed as the student several years younger than herself listed off possible situations that she had never considered for the charm that she had been explaining. The way his mind work just seemed on a different kind of wavelength. At the same time though, this was Harry Potter that she was thinking about. The same boy who was routinely targeted in the halls of Hogwarts for sport at this stage. Said boy hadn't been properly ambushed to her knowledge since after the fashion show which she herself had organized the previous year. Harry had then, in the kindest way possible, taken out each and every one of his assailants, deposited them in a corner and told them to try harder.

The fact that he was now explaining how the Bubble Head Charm would be beneficial for making an escape through a sewer system without having to breath in toxic gases just went to show just how he thought.

"With the way you think Harry, I'm kind of glad that you're not in Potter Club," said Ruth as the two of them walked down the snow covered street as other students.

The statement, for as innocent as it was, caught Harry somewhat off guard before a coy smile spread across his face. "You say that with such confidence," said Harry. "Any particular reason why?"

"Well, me and the girls were talking and straight away we know that it's got to be made of students the same age or even older than us. The fact that some of the students may have even graduated is a strong possibility, given the magic that they use. While you might have good theory and an odd sense of knowing when someone is attacking you from behind, that doesn't mean you could put into practice what's needed to perform some of those spells," declared Ruth. "No offense."

"None taken," said Harry with a shrug. "And true, theory can only get you so far and as a third year student who is still only just learning the basics of magic, it would be dangerous for me to dabble in such things."

"Exactly," proclaimed Ruth with a sense of pride.

"Yet at the same time I am a teenager," cut odd Harry before Ruth's pride grew too large. "A teenager with a wand that can perform some truly remarkable acts. A teenager who likes to laugh and show off. I know that Muggle teenagers show off to the friends by doing bigger and bolder things, often sometimes things which in themselves are dangerous. Now, with a wand in hand, who's to say that I can't do bigger and bolder things to show off, regardless of the danger?"

"Because it would be reckless and could get you or your friends hurt," stated Ruth, her eyes sharpening.

"True," said Harry as he lent against the wall of the nearby shop, Ruth stopping with him as soft powdered snow fell around them. "But people get hurt, with or without intent. There's a reason why the Hospital Wing is as big as it is. If I get hurt trying to make people laugh, that's not going to prevent me from doing it again at a later date, albeit with some other safety measures in place."

"Harry," said Ruth in a stern tone as she closed the distance between them. "I want you to promise me that you won't do anything that will potentially cause you, or anybody you're with, any sort of pain. Promise me Harry."

"I'm sorry, I can't do that," said Harry without even a second of hesitation.

Ruth couldn't help but let out a quick chuckle. "You know, that really doesn't surprise me; you are Harry Potter after all," said Ruth before she rustled Harry's hair playfully, brushing away the snow that had settled among his locks. "I think we can end the date here."

"Seems abrupt," said Harry curiously.

"You've given me much to think about Harry and frankly, the more time I spend with you the more of a target I paint on my own back. I can already hear all of the questions that the other members of the PFC will be asking me and I don't want to garner too much hatred from some of the more zealous members."

"Well when you put it like that," said Harry with a shrug. "So is this the part where we kiss and go our separate ways? Can't really say that I've ever been on a date before so I don't know what the etiquette is for a date being cut short."

"A kiss huh, that's rather bold of you, and on a first date at that," said Ruth playfully.

"Did you expect anything different from me?"

"Honestly, I came into this with more worried than excited and you made me feel at ease right away. For that Harry, I'm going to give you this," said Ruth before she leaned in planted a chaste kiss on Harry's forehead.

"Hopefully that doesn't get you in too much trouble," said Harry as Ruth took a step back.

"Hopefully. Take care of yourself Harry."

Ruth knew it was abrupt as she turned and began to walk away, briefly looking over her shoulder once at the boy she was leaving behind. What she was looking for was some sort of emotion from him, some sort of semblance to show that he was upset by the fact their date had been cut short. Instead, there just seemed to be the same face that he always wore, one of content.

In a sense, it did hurt. It wasn't as if she was expecting the boy to feel vast amounts of feelings after only spending a couple hours with her. The fact he seemed not even the slightest bit upset though was hard to swallow. At the same time however, it made sense in the worst possible way.

Throughout their entire time at Hogsmeade, she had tried to show Harry the highlights of the village. She could remember how looking at these things had brought her such joy the first time that she had visited. The way she had looked at it all and breathed it all in on her first time with all her friends had been such an experience.

And Harry seemingly hadn't felt a single part of that. He had just looked at everything with such little care it was hard to believe this was his first time in the village. There was such little excitement that she found it hard to communicate with him on a fun level, especially when all he seemed interested in was higher levels of curriculum. She just had to admit that Harry wasn't the same, reiterating her earlier thought process that he operated on a different wavelength.

She just wished that throughout the day she could have allowed him to be a little happier than his usual demeanor. Perhaps this was the real thing that she would discuss with the other members of the Potter Fan Club. Maybe together they could construct something to bring Harry out of his shell and remove the mask he always wore.

They needed to come together in order to help Harry Potter, for once, be a normal boy.

...

"Wouldn't think you'd be leaving Hogsmeade so soon Potter," commented Draco, the Slytherin student noticing his peer heading towards the path back to Hogwarts.

Pausing in his step, Harry turned to look at the blond teenager. "Sadly Malfoy, my date has kind of abandoned me so I figure my day is pretty much done," admitted Harry. "What about yourself?"

"It was going rather well," stated Draco. "Issue was that the person my date wished to be with actively showed up and, like yourself, abandoned me."

"In which case, shall the two of us make our way back together?" suggested Harry.

"I can only imagine the utter destruction such a suggestion would have caused in years gone by," stated Draco as the two of them began the march back to Hogwarts.

"Who knows, in another timeline we could have been enemies trying to get the better of one another at every turn," stated Harry.

"I somehow believe that my father wished it were so."

"Yeah well, your father probably wishes for a lot of things. He does rub shoulders with the Minister often enough to try and get his wishes granted," said Harry.

"I did hear that he had drafted up a proposal for the school board to have the groundskeeper removed from his position as a teacher, pointing out such things as the Keeper of Keys and Grounds couldn't also occupy a teaching position."

"And I'm absolutely sure that such a proposal has nothing to do with Hagrid's heritage," chuckled Harry. "Still though, such a thing wouldn't pass in the slightest by my reckoning. If anything it just sounds as if it is something to keep people temporarily occupied."

"Given my father, I wouldn't put it past him to use something like that as a feeler for something bigger. A lot of different people have a lot of different opinions on a lot of different matters. Knowing where people sit on one thing can help know where they vote on a later date," said Malfoy.

"Oddly enough, I get the feeling that you're going to be an interesting player in the political game once it's our turn to step into the Wizengamot," stated Harry. "Who knows, you might even convince me to vote for whatever it is you're pushing for."

"I will keep that in mind."

...

Lucius Malfoy strode with purpose through the Ministry of Magic, those fully aware of the power he held stepping out of his way. Clutched underneath his right arm was what seemed like an ordinary box which, truth be told, it was. It was what was in said box that was truly special and could potentially change the fate of Wizarding Britain.

Said object had been in the hands of one of his compatriots whom, while they had been blessed to have received such an object, was completely clueless on what it was he held. In truth, had Lucius not been in a position where he had held something as valuable mere years ago it may very well have gone over his head as well. Having discovered what his ally had, Lucius had played his hand and taken it for himself in honor to utilize it and garner favor down the line. Fortune favored the bold and while his prior plan hadn't so much as gotten off the ground, this one would undoubtedly either be spectacular or blow up in his face.

Lucius truly hoped it was the prior.

Another failure would not be tolerated.

Having reached his destination, Lucius took a deep breath before knocking twice on the door. "Come in," said the cheery voice from behind to which Lucius obliged.

"Minister," said Lucius as he closed the door behind him.

"Lucius," said Cornelius as he sat behind his desk, mountains of paperwork stacked in front of him. Much of this was not something that he dealt with on a regular but without an undersecretary, said paperwork did fall upon him. "What brings you in my friend?"

"I was simply curious as to how your search for a new staff member was going," said Lucius as he strode forward. "After all, you do have to find somebody who is willing to take all of this upon themselves."

"Yes, it has taken longer than expected but thankfully there is no shortage of candidates. I'm hoping to narrow down the applicants to no more than ten before going through a thorough interview to see who is best to assist me," declared Cornelius. "Much to be done in between though."

"Of course," said Lucius with a curt nod. "I do have something here which you should have at each of your interviews if only to show off in front of your candidates. After all, you are the most powerful person in the Ministry, it is only right that you have a token which symbolizes such power."

Needless to say, Cornelius' interest had peaked.

Placing the box he had been carrying amongst the paperwork on Cornelius' desk, Lucius was deliberately slow in opening. "Minister, may I present to you, the cup of Helga Hufflepuff."

...

Hope you enjoyed.