Here is the fourth chapter. Do let me know your thoughts, feedback, and any suggestions for improvement. Your support means a lot!
Posted: July 27, 2024
Thanks to Vik1902 , Lost Dingo22 for leaving reviews. Thanks to all for favorites and follows.
I will try to do something different. Given that I have been an avid reader, having read more than a couple of thousand fanfics, it will be hard. But I will try and see where my small brain takes this.
Chapter 4: Invitation
After dinner, Harry made his way to the library. The usual quiet and serene atmosphere greeted him as he entered. He found a table in a secluded corner and began setting up his materials. Shortly after, Greengrass arrived, carrying her own stack of books.
"Ready to get started?" she asked, setting her things down.
Harry nodded. "Let's begin. We need to choose a rune to focus on for our project. Any preferences?"
Daphne thought for a moment. "How about 'Algiz'? It's a protection rune, and there are plenty of applications we could explore."
Harry agreed. "Sounds good. Let's start with the history and meaning of 'Algiz' and then look at its practical uses."
Together, they delved into the texts, discussing and debating the various aspects of the rune. The project required not only theoretical knowledge but also practical demonstrations, which meant they would need to create and test their own rune-inscribed items.
"You never wrote in the summer," Greengrass said in the middle of their discussion.
"Was I supposed to?" he asked. He remembered they had talked at the end of the year in their Runes class, and she had mentioned writing over the summer. But honestly, he found that too much of a hassle. Besides, what did he have to talk about in a letter? And it wasn't as if she had sent any. Since he hadn't received any letters, he didn't feel obligated to reply. 'Though I think it might be due to the Fidelius Charm cast over Black Townhouse not long after the holidays started,' he thought but shrugged.
He saw her lips thinning in irritation, but then they were back to normal. "Not that it matters anymore. I had tried to contact you, by the way, but my letters were returned undelivered," she promptly replied.
He nodded, then shook his head. "Sorry, I didn't know. Wards must have prevented letters from unknown origins," he explained. He couldn't exactly talk about the Fidelius Charm, could he?
She nodded, and they continued reading about the said rune. As they worked, Harry found himself appreciating her approach to their project. Despite her Slytherin background, she was focused and driven, qualities he could respect.
It was soon time for curfew when Madam Pince announced to clear everyone out of the library. they came out of the library and started walking towards their respective houses. They would part at the stairway, with him climbing higher to the Ravenclaw dorms and her heading to wherever the Slytherin dorms were in the dungeons. Harry walked a few steps ahead of Greengrass. Just as they were reaching the end of the corridor, they heard muffled whispering coming from around the corner.
As they turned, he saw Ronald Weasley with Granger coming along. Their whispers hushed down upon seeing him. Ron made a strange face, but honestly, Harry didn't care what he thought. Over the past month, since the Weasleys had invaded Black Townhouse, he had hardly interacted with anyone from that family. He had some limited interaction with Granger, and that too when he was in the library and she 'barged' in there.
"Oh, hi," Granger smiled upon seeing him. He just nodded back.
Weasley made a face, looking between him and Greengrass behind him. For a moment, Harry thought Ron would say something, but that didn't happen.
"You should hurry up and be in your dorms soon. It's almost curfew," Granger spoke.
"We were on the way," Greengrass responded and then looked at Harry. "I'll see you soon. Let me know when you want to plan the next session," she said, walking past the Gryffindors without waiting for his reply.
Weasley was about to speak or shout after the blonde, but Granger took his hand.
Harry decided he too had to go. "I have to go to my dorms as well," he said as he walked past them.
He had walked a few steps when Granger's voice stopped him. "Harry—I mean, Potter, we have a gathering—"
But Weasley interrupted her. "Hermione..." the redhead spoke.
But Granger continued, "We have a gathering at the Hog's Head for DADA O.W.L.s. If you would like to join, you are invited," she said and then pulled Weasley and turned the corner.
'What was that about?' Harry thought, intrigued. Looking around, he quickly pulled out his Invisibility Cloak. The only family heirloom he had from his father. Apparently, he and Sirius had done so many pranks with this. He had been surprised when he received this as a gift on his 11th birthday, just after the Hogwarts letter. Sirius had told him that he almost forgot about the cloak and that James had lent it to Dumbledore.
Harry slipped the cloak over himself and silenced his feet with a quick muttered spell. He turned corners quickly, hoping the Gryffindors hadn't gone far. He was thankful to see Weasley standing outside the library doors. 'Oh, Granger is making sure that no one is in the library,' he thought.
He stood a few feet away from the redhead as they waited for the bushy-haired witch. Soon, Granger came out. "It's clear," she said.
"You just wanted to get some book yourself, didn't you?" the redhead boy pointed out.
"So what if I did? You should too. It would help you," the witch snapped back.
The boy grumbled something too quietly for Harry to make out.
"What did you say?" she asked sharply.
"Nothing. Anyways, why did you invite him?" the redhead spoke as they climbed the stairs.
"Invite who?" Granger asked, sounding genuinely confused.
"Potter." Harry kept a safe distance, making sure not to make any noise.
"Well, he lived with us for part of the month, and I think he also deserves to learn," Granger answered.
"You just say that because you like him," the boy grumbled.
"I do not!" Granger replied quickly, her face turning red. "And what is it to you if I like him or not, or whoever else I like?" she asked heatedly.
"Forget it. The thing is, I don't like him and nor do I trust him. He didn't speak to us for the whole summer we were at headquarters . And he didn't participate in any chores Mom made us do," the redhead complained.
Harry had to control himself not to laugh. He remembered the whole lot of them, including Longbottom, being assigned to clean the townhouse manually. Sirius had offered their house-elf, the good elf that is, 'Budnips,' to do the cleaning and chores, but the Weasley matriarch had been adamant about using her children, Granger, and Longbottom. Granger had been too happy, saying elves were not their servants. The Black Townhouse didn't require much cleaning—Sirius had already made the house livable when he took over it almost seven years ago. But the Weasley matriarch insisted on cleaning the parts of the house they stayed in, at least. He also remembered how the old elf, 'Kreacher', had almost verbally abused them daily. Frankly, he wasn't sure how come the old elf was still in the house; he refused any of Sirius' commands and even had raised a storm when they had brought in 'Budnips'.
"It doesn't matter if you like him or not. He was there, and apparently, it was his godfather's home we were all staying in. If he or his godfather, Mr. Black, were any sort of wrong, then Dumbledore would not have made it headquarters," she snapped back, bringing Harry back from his memories.
"But didn't you see him buddy-buddy with a Slytherin, of all things?" Weasley hushed.
"So what? Besides, I think they were doing a runes project. They are partners in that class, after all," Granger replied.
"Oh," Weasley spoke, then added, "It doesn't matter. We aren't even sure if Neville will agree to this thing even."
"He will when he sees so many people," Granger replied.
'Agree to what?' Harry thought as he noticed they had reached the seventh floor.
Before he could continue following them, he saw Granger stiffen and yell, "Fred! George! What are you two doing out of bounds?" as she walked towards the trouble-causing twins.
The twins, upon seeing her, just laughed and ran, "Come here" she yelled and fumed as she saw them sprint away. She turned and saw Ron also laughing. "Ronald, catch your brothers!" she ordered.
"Why me?" the boy grumbled before running off in the direction the twins had gone.
'I still don't know what the meeting is about,' Harry thought as he stood there, watching Granger walking in the direction the Weasleys had run off.
So, this was for the fourth chapter. I will try to come up with the next one soon…. Hopefully. I appreciate any feedback and constructive criticism you can offer. Thank you for taking the time to read my story!
