To Kill Two Birds With One Stone

It took half a day for their personal drama to be the hot topic of the school. It was certainly impressive that they were a more riveting conversation topic than the war raging outside the castle walls. At first, it was limited to the whispers in the Great Hall and the stares that swiftly turned away whenever Harry or Hermione caught them in the act. Then once every faction in the school had made their opinions about the rumours, the more confident students switched to confronting them in person over the gossip. Some, mostly Slytherins, chose to fling jeers and taunts at them in the corridor. Others, mostly Hufflepuffs, whispered their support to Hermione, saying that no one deserves to be let down that way.

With Hermione's timetable busier than his own, Harry had more free periods than she did. Usually, he would have spent them with Ron, as they had the same timetable, and would have spent it goofing around instead of studying like they should be. Aware that Ron would be occupying the Common Room with either Lavender or Seamus, Harry pointedly avoided the room, choosing instead to slip under his Invisibility Cloak and find somewhere else to spend the hour of free time. After a while of aimless wandering, he finally relented to spending his free time in the Library.

He had just pulled out some parchment and inked his quill when the shadow appeared, falling over the table he occupied alone in the Library. He lifted his head, looking around. His gaze fell on a girl from the seventh year, her long blonde hair tied up in an elaborate bun behind her head. Her green-grey eyes made the usual journey to his scar before settling on his eyes.

"Hi, I saw you sitting on your own and wondered if you'd rather join us over there?"

The forwardness of the question baffled Harry just as much as who had asked it. He recognised the girl. Louisa Farley, the Slytherin Head Girl. His mouth nearly dropped open when he saw her friends watching from their table, all doing a poor job of hiding that they were paying attention to what was going on. They were all Slytherins.

What the hell?

"Er… I'm waiting for my friend but… thanks?"

The Head Girl had never said a thing to him before and he was fairly sure that she had been among the many 'Potter Stinks' badge wearers during the Triwizard Tournament.

"You could sit with us until then?" She suggested, her head tilting to one side, her eyes sharpening with curiosity. Harry glanced at the girls, wondering what on earth he had done to land himself in such a situation. To his embarrassment, his face started to feel warm.

"Um no thanks, I'm happy to sit here on my own." He caught a glint of disappointment in the older girl's eyes, but she smiled.

"If you change your mind, I could help you with that Charms assignment… and other things," she said, suggestively. Harry's face grew hotter. "Word around the school is that you don't have a date to the Christmas Party. I already have an invite, as Head Girl, but should you need company…"

Is she really asking me out?

Then he frowned.

Everyone is talking about how I don't have a date? What the hell?

"If you're invited then I guess I'll see you there," he said as politely as he could, offering her a smile, then he nodded his head at her, "and I can manage this by myself, thanks." He turned, gesturing with his inked quill. She inclined her head at him in response and left him in peace. Harry watched her in the corner of his eye as she went to return to her friends. He let out a sigh, reaching down for his bag. Looking down, he caught sight of the cover of the Half-Blood Prince's copy of Advanced Potion Making. His grimace tightened as he felt a rush of guilt.

He pushed it aside, grabbing his Charms book and set it next to him before he started to write.

"You could always ask Malfoy. I hear he's trying to get an invitation."

The whispers from the table of Slytherin girls were within his earshot. Harry glanced up at them briefly before returning to his scribbling.

"No way. Mother told me to keep clear of Death Eater spawn."

"And how is asking out Potter less dangerous?"

Harry paused at the mention of his name. Someone cleared their throat and they fell silent for a moment. He shook his head to himself.

"At least Potter's hot."

There were some soft giggles in response. Harry accidentally blotted a drop of ink on his parchment as he lost his focus.

"Do you know… he has a dimple… I didn't realise before…"

His face was now on fire. He did his best to block out the girls, but his charms assignment wasn't distracting enough.

"Do you think that's how he escaped the Dark Lord? By disarming him with his smile?"

Two days had passed since Ron had broken Hermione's heart. In those days, the school had turned from being fascinated with their quarrel to being instead enrapt with how Harry had defended Hermione. How he sided with the damsel in distress and braved adversity on her behalf. Somehow, all the attention diverted directly onto him. Just as Professor McGonagall had anticipated. While it was good that Hermione was spared the attention, Harry found himself with too much. He had half the castle dreamily staring at him and the other half glaring at him. Or so it felt.

"What excuse did he give, Lu?"

"He's waiting for 'his friend'. Has to be Granger, of course. The only reason he's even here is probably to stay away from Sleazy Wealsey and that slattern of his."

Harry looked up from his sketchy attempt at writing his introduction to his essay, surprised at the vitriol levelled towards Ron and Lavender. Considering that the Slytherin girls were very much in his camp, if he even had one, he shouldn't have been surprised.

Sleazy Weasley?

It was the first time he heard the name, but he suspected that the gossip circuit had invented it.

"Ladies, as riveting as your conversation is, either take it outside the library or be silent."

Harry let out a breath of relief as Madame Pince entered the scene, her stern reprimand quelling the gossiping at once. He kept his head down as he fumbled through the pages of his book to find the chapter on illusions and magical mirages. He went to return to his essay, continuing his introduction before diving into his bag to retrieve his notes from the class. N.E.W.T level Charms, Harry soon discovered, were a lot more useful in a duel than charming a tea-cup into tap dancing. He found himself doing far better in the class than previous years as he started to contribute and not languish with average marks.

He was in the middle of arguing the combative uses of small illusions as diversions when he felt someone approaching. He glanced up, worried that Louisa Farley was going to make a second attempt.

Hermione was there, reaching their table.

"Oh, I didn't hear the bell." Harry said, surprised at her appearance.

"Babbling let us out early," she explained. She set her bag, bulging with books as it always was, down on one of the chairs and then pulled out the one opposite Harry. He noticed that she was a little breathless.

Did she hurry to get here?

"I need to talk to you, urgently," she said quickly. She threw herself into the chair and leaned forwards. Bewildered, Harry edged closer so they could whisper.

"I overheard some girls talking in the bathroom before Arithmancy. Romilda and her friends…"

Harry groaned. He didn't have to guess who was the subject of their conversation.

"They were talking about you."

"I figured as much," Harry said glumly. Hermione glanced around, searching for Pince before continuing.

"It sounds like Romilda means business, Harry. I think she might resort to a love potion."

"What?" Harry gasped, horrified.

"She mentioned buying one of those potions from the Weasley Wizard Wheezes. You remember the ones?" Harry nodded. "Their Owl Order Service disguises them as perfumes and cough potions so it's safe to assume that she has managed to sneak one in past Filch."

Harry covered his face with his hands. It was bad enough having girls pining after him and following him around. Now they were resorting to bewitching him?

"This is getting out of hand," Harry admitted into his hands.

"The Party's a week away now. They're getting desperate," Hermione said sympathetically. "Maybe… don't go?"

"I can't. Slughorn practically made me take an oath to make sure I turn up," Harry said miserably. He lowered his hands, looking across at Hermione, seeing her eyes shining with concern. "It's a good job you overheard. I'll take extra care."

Hermione sighed and reached across for her bag. He noticed her checking the title of his essay to see what he was up to. He also noticed the small smile on her lips when she saw that he was actually doing homework. He heard some whispers behind her and his attention went to the Slytherins who were still there.

"Someone asked me out again, by the way." He brought it up under his breath as he reached over to reink his quill. Hermione's smile turned amused. Whenever they reconvened after their timetables split them up, someone managed to approach him and ask to be his date. It quickly became a joke between them.

"Just one?"

"The Library limits the opportunities," he said in a hushed whisper. Hermione's smile deepened as she pulled out her books and her own Charms essay which was half done. She set her quill down and tapped her chin in mock thought.

"Hmm… Hufflepuff?"

"No."

Hermione's eyes brightened. "Oh, not a Gryffindor?"

"Nope… this is a first," he said grinning, eyeing the table behind her. "Slytherin." Hermione frowned and turned, seeing them. Her head quickly snapped back around, her eyes wide with mirth.

"No!" She gasped, breathless with shock as she gave a few airy giggles. "Don't tell me it was Louisa Farley?"

Harry gave a nod, causing Hermione to cover her mouth to stifle her giggles, her face pinking behind her hands.

"She's more of a Gryffindor than Romilda. At least she had the decency to ask. A love potion?" Harry shook his head, disgusted. "I should write a letter to Fred and George. A love potion is not much better than the Imperius curse."

The mention of the curse and the potion sobered Hermione up as she pulled her essay towards herself. She then worried her lip between her teeth, looking up at him.

"It's not just her, though. You can't go anywhere without someone harassing you." She sighed. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She reached out her left hand towards him. Understanding what she wanted, Harry took it with his own.

"I can deal with it, okay?"

He gave Hermione what he hoped was a reassuring smile and let go of her hand. He chose then to go back to his essay. His mood was swinging out of control despite the calm composure he was showing to reassure his friend that he wasn't as bothered as he was. He hoped that she didn't notice his blatant lie, nor that he felt thoroughly creeped out and borderline distressed at the threat of being given a love potion. He couldn't begin to imagine what sort of embarrassing stunt he would do under the effects of a potion. It wouldn't be like the imperius curse - he could throw that off. He would be completely under its thrall and it terrified him.

That someone would go to such lengths to even consider doing that to him… he felt violated. Did they care so little about his feelings? Did they just see him as a trophy, a prize to put on show?

"It's not going to stop after the Party, Harry," Hermione whispered to him "And when they all find out about…" Hermione dropped her voice, glancing around to make sure the coast was clear.

"When they find out you're staying here for Christmas as well, I just know that some girls will change their plans in the hope of catching you alone."

Harry's stomach dropped at that.

That morning, Harry made the decision to sign up for staying at the school over the holiday. Hermione had been aghast and devastated on his behalf, but he thought it was the best call. The thought of spending it with the Weasleys, seeing the rift where Sirius should be, where his own family should be, all the while having to deal with Ron's cold shoulder and the great big elephant in the room was too unpleasant.

Frankly, he'd rather spend it alone. Christmas was all about family, after all, and he didn't have one. He could at least spend it in the one place he truly called home.

But he didn't want to also spend it with a group of lovesick girls trying to slip him love potions!

The bell trilled throughout the school, a double chime to signal the end of classes for the day.

"Are you almost done?" Hermione asked him. He looked down at his essay.

"Nearly," he said, then noticed, not to his surprise, that Hermione's essay was almost twice as long as his.

"Do you want me to take a look over it?" She asked, extending a hand his way. He smiled gratefully at her offer and handed it over. He leaned back in his chair, noticing the influx of students arriving now that classes were done for the day. As expected, he found himself getting a lot of attention as the tables around them filled up. He sighed and ignored them, especially the group of third year girls who had chosen to take the table behind him.

He then caught sight of two familiar faces. Ginny and Luna. They approached at once.

"Hello Harry, Hermione," Luna greeted, smiling cordially at them both. "Do you mind if we join you?"

"Oh, no… of course not," Hermione said at once, taking her bag from the chair beside her. Ginny slumped down in the chair next to Harry, stifling a yawn.

"History of Magic?" Harry asked her, smirking knowingly. Ginny chuckled, after her yawn.

"How d'you guess?" She said, then dived down for her bag to fetch her own homework. Hermione wasn't paying attention, her brow furrowed in concentration as she made her way through Harry's essay. Luna was already nose-deep in a book, her wand stowed behind her ear as it always was.

"I've been meaning to ask, Harry," Ginny brought his attention back over to her as she extracted herself from her bag, now holding two books and a chocolate frog. "When's practice this week?"

His stomach squirmed at the question.

"Practice's cancelled until next term," he said, not meeting her gaze as he dispensed the news.

"Cancelled? But we have a week until we break up?"

"We trained like crazy for the last match. Everyone deserves a break and it's not as if we need to train. We blitzed the last game."

He knew he hadn't convinced Ginny and sure enough, when he looked across at her, she was giving him a very Mrs Weasley-esque look.

"You're putting it off." Blunt and to the point as always. "If you don't have the stones to tell him he's off the team, I will."

"Keep your voice down, will you?" Harry said under his breath, now angry. "I'm not kicking anyone off the team. Not without good reason. I'm just not letting personal stuff interfere."

Ginny sighed.

"Since when did you become all mature and sensible?"

Harry smacked her on the arm.

"Watch it, or I'll be looking for a chaser," he said, then smirked at her. "We'll start training twice a week next term. Once… tempers have cooled. The next match isn't until February anyway. And besides, we can't fly in this snow."

"Fine, fine," Ginny said, rolling her eyes. "I just hoped to get a bit more flying in but I guess we can fly over the Christmas break."

Harry pointedly looked over to Hermione, checking her progress.

"This is good, Harry," Hermione said, seeing his interest. He blinked in surprise.

"Really?"

Hermione handed the parchment back over to him, smiling at his surprised expression.

"Yes, really, in fact, I might re-write my conclusion to include one of your points." She beamed at him. The sight of her genuine happiness at his achievement pulled him free from the misery that had previously held him in its grip. Pleased with himself, Harry plucked up his quill and went to finish his essay.

"I've been meaning to say," Ginny piped up after a moment, tapping Harry on the arm to get his attention. "I sent a letter to mum giving her a heads up about Ron. No details - just that you had a row and aren't talking. You know, so she doesn't put you in his room like always over Christmas. I thought you might appreciate not having to deal with that. "

Harry and Hermione both grimaced. Ginny noticed their reaction.

"What?"

"I'm staying here for Christmas," Harry said quietly. Ginny's face fell.

"Harry, you know mum and dad would want you over for Christmas, no matter what my moronic brother says."

Harry could see Hermione's devastated look across from him. He sighed quietly and shook his head, looking over to Ginny. He glanced around, searching for Pince in case she jumped on them and told them to be quiet.

While he wasn't exactly thrilled to spend Christmas alone, he knew all too well that there were worse ways to spend it.

Like locked in a cupboard under the stairs while your so-called family eat Christmas dinner without you and all you have is a pair of socks and an empty stomach.

The thought came out of nowhere. A wash of an old, painful feeling returned to him at that moment, a feeling that he desperately tried to avoid. Loneliness.

I won't be alone. Hagrid will be here and Hedwig. Dobby too.

He looked up at Hermione, his heart giving a wrench at how sadly she was watching him. She had already apologised profusely for promising her parents that she would spend her holidays with them. He had firmly told her to stop being silly. As if he expected her to choose him over her family!

"Of course I'd rather spend Christmas with you all, but I don't want to make things awkward. I've made my decision," he said to her a little firmly. He returned to finishing his essay, not wanting to talk any more about it. He could feel Ginny's anger coming off her in waves. He sighed to himself and continued writing.

"Ugh do you have to be boring and be the better person?" Ginny said under her breath. She then looked up at Hermione. "If Harry's dead set on martyring himself, then I think you should be the one to give my brother a wake up call."

Harry finally finished his essay and cast a drying charm on the ink. He then paid attention to the conversation. He gazed up, seeing Hermione sporting a rather mischievous smile.

"Ginny Weasley, are you suggesting that I make your brother jealous?"

"Well? Have you got a date for the Party?" Ginny asked, her grin equally as mischievous. Harry blinked, nonplussed.

"What's going on?" He asked, at a loss.

"And what about you, Harry?" Luna suddenly asked him from behind the book.

"What about me?" He looked between them both. Ginny gave a short laugh, rolling her eyes.

"Everyone is talking about who will be the lucky lady on your arm next Friday night, Harry."

"Everyone needs to bloody talk about something else," Harry said angrily, rolling his essay up into a scroll.

"You need a date before you get yourself dosed with a dozen different love potions," Ginny said to him firmly. "I know for a fact that Fred and George have made a killing with their potion products and you're the most fancied boy in the school."

Harry dropped his head on the desk with a loud thunk.

"Will you please stop calling me 'fanciable'?" He whined.

"You should both go together," Luna said suddenly from behind her book. Harry started in surprise. He wasn't the only one. She slowly lowered her book, gazing at them all dreamily.

"As friends, of course.."

Luna brought her protuberant eyes over to Harry, who finally caught up with what they were suggesting. His eyes then latched onto Hermione.

His words to Hermione the other day then came back to him.

"Friendship is more important to me. The people who… like me for me. People who I can trust. That… is worth more than an easy snog and a date hanging off my arm."

He could see his own surprise reflected back at him. Hermione's mouth was slack, slightly open, her eyes fixed on his. She broke eye contact first, looking over to Ginny, who was frowning as if considering Luna's suggestion with some thought.

"No one is going to believe that you are just friends," she said eventually.

"I don't really see how it is any of their business," Hermione said with a slightly haughty tone, going to roll up her own essay. Harry agreed vehemently with that statement.

"But… it would stop them harassing you so much if it appears like you're taken, Harry," Hermione then said, straightening, her expression softening. "Maybe… we could go together. We were probably going to go together anyway but if we… play it up a little…"

Harry looked at the three girls, noticing that all of them were staring at him.

"You're suggesting that we go together together," he said quietly, "as… each others' dates?"

"Just for show," Hermione said, "we don't have to… dance or anything."

Dance?!

He blanched.

"Just sit together and try to have a good time. And Ginny will be there with Dean…"

Harry's shock was wearing off. He stared at Hermione, seeing her pinking cheeks, her embarrassment.

"If you'd rather take someone else…"

"No!" Harry burst out, rather loudly. He cringed, seeing the gazes flicking in his direction. "No… I want to go with you. As… a friend." He then let out a breath. "Though do you want to do this? This'll get a lot of attention."

Hermione's smile turned into a sharp, savage thing as she shoved her essay and books into her bag.

"Oh, I'm counting on it. I'm going to show those nitwits that to get to you, they have to go through me." She packed her bag with venom and force. "And if it wipes the smile off Ron's face, it's an added bonus. We kill two birds with one stone."

Harry felt a bit of a thrill at her protectiveness. He copied her motion, packing away his things. It was nearly dinner and the Library would be closing soon.

"Alright then," he agreed, not noticing Luna's knowing smile nor Ginny's frown. "We'll go together."

He threw on a crooked grin.

"Deal?" He asked.

His best friend responded with a surprisingly crooked smile of her own.

"Deal."

Team -

You all deserve a break after that match. Well done everyone. You all played brilliantly.

Practice will pick up next term. Tuesday and Thursdays at 7am. Sundays 11am. Same as this term.

Happy Christmas!

Securing the notice to the board with a sticking charm, Harry took a step back and looked around for where his friends had moved to. Habit dragged his gaze to the chairs in front of the fire where he, Ron and Hermione often sat. Now, two people cuddled on the sofa, one with hair that matched the orange and red flames of the hearth before them. Harry quickly moved his gaze away. After dressing out of his uniform into re-sized Dudley hand-me-downs, he set his sights on his Quidditch Captain duties before seeking out company.

Few people still mulled in the Common Room. Mostly upper years. Harry reached Hermione and Neville, the latter scowling as he puzzled his way through writing a letter. Hermione, as always, had a book in her hands. He joined them, taking a seat, stretching his legs out to rest on the table.

His eyes met Hermione's over her book briefly. He suppressed the urge to smile. Everything, from the timings when he showed himself in the Common Room, where he was sat, who with… all of it they had planned together in the Great Hall over dinner. He purposefully sat within plain sight, lounging, waiting for the girl amid the group of other fifth years to make her move. A group he knew had been watching him avidly.

He caught movement in the corner of his eye, glancing quickly enough to confirm the long, dark hair and pinched nose.

"Here we go," he said under his breath to Hermione. In response, she flicked to the next page, lowering her book enough to meet his eye. He tried to keep a straight face. Neville was none the wiser, scribbling away at his essay to his grandmother.

When it came to dishing some pay back to Ron, Harry felt uneasy. Yes, he had hurt Hermione and Harry was furious with him, but he still felt uneasy. They had been friends, brothers, and he hated the conflict between them, especially as he had to spend Christmas on his own because of it. Yet when it came down to the girl who was willing to drug him, he had no doubts. What he was about to do was cruel but what she planned to do to him was far, far worse.

His senses were beset with an overwhelming wash of perfume. Hermione gave a small cough, making it even harder for him to keep a straight face.

"Hi Harry," her breathy voice made his skin crawl, but he forced himself to look up. She swung her hips towards him, her long locks flicking out as she made a show. She held aloft two glasses of faint green liquid.

"Fancy a gillywater?"

He had to fully control himself as he raised his eyes to hers, putting on what he thought was a polite smile.

"Sure," he said, standing from his chair. Romilda's eyes went wide as he came close to her, taking the glass offered to him. "But first, I hope you don't mind, could you sip from it first? I have a good reason to be paranoid. I'm sure you're not going to kill me but… it's a healthy habit to have."

His smile widened and thankfully it wasn't suspicious. He heard Hermione's laugh that was disguised as a cough.

"I… I assure you there's no reason to be paranoid," Romilda stammered. Harry then made his smile disappear. He gazed at her and extended the glass that she gave him to her. At this point, everyone still in the Common Room was watching.

"A sip and I will be assured," Harry said, then he tilted his head, "unless… you've just tried to give me a love potion."

Romilda's eyes were round then. Harry smirked and dropped the glass. It shattered at their feet. He stepped over the glass shards, approaching her, smile still in place.

"Hermione, what is the normal punishment for a student using a love potion?" Harry asked casually, his eyes fixed on Romilda, who was struggling to realise how much trouble she was in.

Hermione snapped her book shut and rose from her seat. She joined Harry at his side, seeing the mess on the floor. She waved her wand, summoning the liquid.

"Suspension," she said as she focused on drawing the summoned liquid into a conjured vial. "But, you being you, Harry…it might be more severe." She trailed off dramatically as the liquid sealed itself successfully in the vial.

Harry then levelled Romilda a firm look.

"Sip that vial Hermione's just made and I won't take this to Dumbledore."

The reaction was dramatic. She reached up and grabbed Harry, who immediately stepped back, face furious. Hermione's wand flashed and Romilda staggered back. Harry then shared a look with Hermione. He reached a hand towards her and she passed him the vial. He fixed Romilda in his sights.

"I want it known that I do not love Romilda Vane. When I drink this, it makes me say otherwise…"

"Fine, okay," Romilda gasped out when she realised what Harry was threatening. "I… I made a mistake."

Harry's smile was a slash on his face. He crushed the vial in his fist and gave Romilda a lingering look.

"I'm not a trophy, Romilda." He said harshly, his stare turning molten. She backed off from him, scared. He then stepped over to Hermione, looking up at those dark gold eyes. He grasped her hand.

"You'll never equal Hermione so back off."

And she did.