I have to admit I'm really looking forward to the HBO show, and rumour has it that the casting has been going ahead pretty efficiently. The movies will for sure take a lot of living up to because of how popular they are but I'm very much here for a book accurate story.

On to this chapter however, and I hope you all enjoy it!

Some dialogue in this chapter is borrowed from Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: Chapter 15 - The Unbreakable Vow

While butterbeer itself isn't very strong, the celebrations of the Quidditch win had led to Leo drinking more than he normally would on a Hogsmeade weekend in a vastly shorter amount of time, and he woke up feeling slightly worse for wear. Noticing that all the other four poster beds had their blinds shut he got dressed in some comfortable clothes and groggily walked down to the common room to meet Fay, who had eagerly set up her Gobstones for a game of Jack Stones before they descended for breakfast.

As usual, he lost, and his groggy morning wasn't helped by all four of his stones letting out a foul-smelling liquid directly into his face. Spluttering, he very quickly wiped as much away as he could. "I hate this game." He stated grumpily.

Fay meanwhile was laughing. "You just need to be better at it." She smirked, collecting all the stones and setting them up for a classic game instead, where Leo groaned audibly at the thought of even more stones squirting him in the face. As they set up for another game, Fay then added. "Baz says hello."

Barry Dunbar was Fay's older brother having left Hogwarts after their second year to move to Iceland for work, and a person that Leo looked up to and respected greatly, being appreciative of how the at the time 6th year had looked after him in the first few weeks of his first year. "How is he?"

"Enamoured with the September Equinox still." She rolled her eyes. "Apparently this year there have been big links between that and the migration patterns of glacial plimpies." Shrugging, she flicked in the jack and begun the game. Fay had never understood her brother's obsession with Astronomy. "It had already been opened though."

Leo could understand that. A few days before Cosmo had flown in at breakfast with a package from his Mother, new Dress Robes for the Christmas Party, but he knew his Mother's wrapping well enough to see that it had also been tampered with. "What are they expecting, you to be writing to Baz to recruit Icelandic wizards to fight You-Know-Who?" He chuckled, his first Gobstone way off the mark.

Fay shrugged, her first effort gently nudging the jack. "I don't know, maybe?" She offered. "I'm just glad to know he's safe, and out of the country."

They stayed in silence after that, each thinking about the world outside of the castle as Leo, as usual, lost the game and ended up getting sprayed with Stinksap to Fay's muted amusement. Another loss followed by the time Anna joined them in the common room, and the trio made their way down to the Great Hall for their breakfast. They weren't early, but they were still among the first Gryffindor's at the table. Leo stuck to the toast at first to try and ease his stomach a little, but after spending about half an hour on one slice he decided he may as well make himself feel better with more of a half-hearted full English. He was cutting into his fried tomato when a body slid into the bench beside him, and Leo turned to see Ron Weasley there, his hands clenched together as he stared at them.

"I'm sorry." Ron started, taking Leo aback somewhat. "I've been a massive prat to you."

The darker haired Gryffindor steeled his face and just nodded. "Not just me." He stated bluntly.

Ron winced, but he nodded again. "I know… and I'll apologise to Hermione when I see her too…"

"She was really upset you know." Leo said shortly. "She was just looking out for you and you kept snapping because of what? Jealousy?"

Ron frowned. "I wasn't… look I didn't come to argue more, I just… I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."

Leo did, and he had literally just stated it. Not wanting to cause more of an issue however he just nodded. "As far as I'm concerned we're cool. I can't say the same for anyone else though."

It was as close they would come to a complete agreement and Ron could sense that, wisely choosing to nod and clear his throat before picking out some breakfast for himself. They sat like that in silence for a little while with Leo desperately trying to avoid the gaze of the two girls opposite him when for the only time ever, Leo was thankful at the arrival of Lavender Brown. Ron once again awkwardly cleared his throat before saying. "Right then. 'scuse me."

Leo breathed out in relief when Ron moved away to sit with his new girlfriend. "Bloody hell…" He whispered, shaking his head as he dropped it into his hands. "It's too early for this."

"You guys are so dramatic." Fay snorted, causing Anna to laugh out loud as well. Leo shot them a glare. "Don't look at me like that and talk to us! What's Ron Weasley apologising for this time?"

So Leo explained the argument that he and Hermione had overheard, as well as the days of vitriol that Ron had put them through. "He's only apologising because he started playing with Lavender's tonsils…"

"Ew!" Anna gagged, slapping him on the arm with a glare on her face. "That's an image nobody needs."

"It's one that's now ingrained in my brain." Fay shuddered.

"Anyway, enough about Weasley." Leo tried to change the conversation quickly, having had enough of thinking about the red head for the time being. "Hogsmeade is coming up, are we Christmas shopping again?"

"Only if you aren't taking Hermione to Madam Puddifoots." Fay grinned, causing Leo to groan and smack his head on the table.

Thankfully with Ron apologising things for the last month of the term settled into a pretty normal fashion with classes beginning to ease up slightly before the Christmas Break. Leo had already arranged that he would be going back to Grimmauld Place for the holidays and when the list began doing the rounds he quickly signed his name up to leave, only for Professor McGonagall to take him to one side after dinner two days before the train.

"Given your… circumstances." She began. "The Headmaster and I believe it would be wiser for both yourself and Mister Potter to avoid the extended journey of the Hogwarts Express this break, MacDonald. On the morning of the 21st December you both shall arrive to my office at noon and you will travel by Floo. Please could you also inform Mister Potter"

"Of course, Professor." Leo nodded; a bit disappointed that he couldn't travel on the train as planned.

The Professor noticed this disappointment and her face softened as much as her stern posture would allow. "I understand your disappointment, MacDonald, but it really is just a matter of safety, given you are to travel to the same location as Potter. Think of it more like you will see your Mother and other loved ones for a few hours more than usual, rather than missing out on a journey with your friends."

That helped, and once Leo was dismissed and had returned to the Common Room he noticed Hermione, Harry and Ron all sat in their favoured seats. Not seeing Anna and knowing that Fay was at her Gobstones club, he decided to go and join them, explaining to Harry what he had just been told.

"You're going to be together for the holidays then?" Ron asked, having successfully re-joined the group as if nothing had happened.

"We are." Harry nodded. "Though you're all coming over on Christmas Eve for three days, right?" He asked Ron.

Leo nodded, giving the answer for the red-head. "Mum insisted. I think Moony will be there too."

Harry perked up at that. "Good, I've not heard from him in ages." He said with a grin, before turning and asking Hermione. "What are you doing, Hermione?"

"I'm going home." She explained, barely taking her nose out of the book she was reading. "I've not been back for Christmas in 3 years at this point and my parents insisted…"

Leo remembered their conversation from the summer and winced, knowing how hard the next fortnight was going to be for her. The others meanwhile seemed oblivious. "You're not far away from Headquarters, are you?" Ron asked. "Maybe we could meet up…"

Hermione scoffed at the thought. "I almost got hexed by Moody when I travelled on my own last time, a quick stroll into the middle of London would go down horribly now!" She shook her head. "No, I'll see you back here after the holiday."

"What's Lavender doing?" Harry asked the red-head, who only groaned. It seemed like the novelty of snogging had worn off for Ron, as he had explained earlier that he was glad of the rest given that Lavender had received a detention for that night. He was saved from explaining that again however as at that moment the portrait hole opened and a loud, high-pitched wail was immediately heard. All the heads in the Common Room turned towards the source of the noise to see the 4th Year Romilda Vane running into the room in tears, with what Leo could only describe as ugly green winged things flapping around her face attacking her. She ran over to the dormitory staircase and out of sight as quickly as she could, only to be followed into the Common Room by a grinning Ginny Weasley, twirling her wand around her fingers.

Harry burst out laughing as the red-headed girl came over to join them, squeezing into Harry's seat beside him and giving him a quick peck on the lips to Ron's disgust. Ignoring him, Harry turned to his girlfriend and asked. "She tried it then?"

"Of course she did, the little slapper." Ginny rolled her eyes, though Leo could see the remnants of anger within them.

Harry turned to explain to the rest of them. "Apparently some girls have found it hard to believe that I'm taking Ginny to the party tomorrow night and they've been trying to sneak me love potions. I've taken to travelling through the secret passages for a fortnight to avoid them all. She's already tried to feed me some kind of chocolates."

"And tonight I was in the loo when I heard Romilda Vane smugly pouring something into a bottle of Gillywater telling her friend that tonight was the night." Ginny continued. "I don't think she appreciated me overhearing…"

Ron burst into laughter and even Leo snorted at the thought, wondering how anybody could think it was a good idea to cross Ginny Weasley. Hermione however frowned. "You shouldn't have hexed her, Ginny. This is the second time now."

The red-head rolled her eyes. "I'm not a Prefect, Hermione. I couldn't just give her a detention could I?"

"You could have gotten a teacher, or me…"

"And by the time that would have happened Harry could have been dosed." Ginny shook her head. "No, the bitch already knew not to cross me and she tried anyway, she deserved it." She kissed Harry again, lingering longer this time.

Ron scowled. "Come on…"

Ginny simply flipped him the middle finger before breaking away from Harry. "Go and inhale Lavender's face." She mocked.

"I'll see her tomorrow." Ron shrugged. "While all of you abandon me for a bloody party." Leo looked over at his date with a small smile. He had been looking forward to it for weeks and now that the day was finally here he was feeling nervous.

"That reminds me." Hermione stated, turning to face Leo. "You boys need to be ready for half past 7."

"And no later." Ginny added. "Then we can walk down together."

Half past 7 seemed doable despite Leo having a full day of lessons on the final Friday of term. "We'll be there." Leo nodded, with Harry quickly agreeing, both boys wishing that the next day would rush by quickly.

Of course, it didn't. Leo's first lesson on the Friday was double Transfiguration where Professor McGonagall gave them an insight into their first topic of the New Year as they moved onto human transfiguration. It took an hour and a half before Leo's left eyebrow changed from its usual black to a bright purple, and the lesson ended before he had been able to wordlessly change it back.

He had to rush to History of Magic after that, and even Lunch was a quick affair before Leo's full afternoon of Muggle Studies and Charms. He had changed his fringe to hide the purple eyebrow and had basically forgotten all about it until it was time to get ready for the party. Dressing himself in his new sleek black dress robes he left his tie until last before he moved his hand in his hair to style it how he usually liked, before audibly cursing at the sight of the purple eyebrow in the mirror.

"What is it?" Harry asked urgently, fixing his own burgundy tie as Leo turned around causing Harry to laugh.

"It's not funny!" Leo exclaimed. He pointed his wand at his eyebrow and said. "Finite."

It didn't work. Nor did it work when Harry tried the same thing to which the 'Chosen One' found even more hilarious. "Come on." He eventually said after his laughing spell. "It's almost half past and Hermione will be able to fix it."

Leo grumbled under his breath, but after one more failed attempt to right his eyebrow he gave up, following Harry down the stairs to the Common Room to wait.

Twenty minutes later and the girls arrived, and both boys jaws dropped. Leo noticed that Ginny had worn a lovely dark green dress out of the corner of his eye, but he was left stunned by Hermione. She was in a low-cut peach dress with a beaded necklace and she had tamed her hair so that her usually bushy locks were now simply wavy.

Harry managed to recover first, simply grinning as he pressed a kiss to Ginny's cheek as he said. "Wow, Gin."

"You don't clean up badly yourself, Potter." Ginny smirked.

Leo meanwhile was still struggling to find the right words. "Hermione… I… you look…"

"Breathe, Leo." Hermione laughed, a blush forming on her cheeks.

Leo nodded and took a deep breath. "You look beautiful." He said softly.

"You look good too." She smiled, before her brow furrowed. "Is your eyebrow purple?"

Leo groaned as he nodded. "I couldn't fix it." He muttered sheepishly.

"I think it looks good." Ginny shrugged. "Gives you a bit of colour other than just black." A grin broke out. "Black! Of course! How didn't we figure it out before!"

Leo glared at her jokingly, but thankfully Hermione had a smirk on her face and her wand in her hand. "Here, let me." She said softly. "Finite."

He didn't even need to look in a mirror to know it had worked as a wave of magic washed over his eyebrow. "Thank you." He said quietly, before offering her his arm. "Shall we?"

"Let's." Ginny was the one to state, pulling Harry towards the Portrait Hole. With a laugh and a wave to Fay and Anna in the corner of the room, Leo and Hermione followed on, the excitement of dressing up and the party the only thing in their minds.

As they walked down the corridor towards Professor Slughorn's office, Leo noticed the sounds of a party growing with each step as the laughter, conversation and the music became more evident. It was Harry that pushed the door open and almost immediately they were assaulted by the complete change to the room. Instead of a standard teachers office, it looked more like a wizarding tent with emerald, gold and crimson hangings instead of a ceiling. The room was bathed in a red light too as the golden lamp hanging from the ceiling was surrounded by bright and dazzling fairies. Leo also noticed that the students were outnumbered by a vast number of guests, a handful of whom he had seen before at previous meetings but a lot of new faces too.

"That's Eldred Worple." Hermione whispered to him; their arms still interlocked. "He's the author of Blood Brothers: My Life among the Vampires."

Leo saw a short, portly man in glasses next to a tired looking taller gentleman and his eyes widened. "It seems he brought one of them as his guest." He commented.

Professor Slughorn came charging towards them before the quartet had a chance to settle. "Harry m'boy!" The Potions Professor boomed. "Come in, come in! So many people I'd like you to meet." He gestured around. "And Miss Weasley, looking as lovely as ever." He then noticed Leo and Hermione. "Mr MacDonald, Miss Granger. A pleasure to see you once more!"

"Thank you for the invite, Professor." Leo smiled.

Professor Slughorn tugged Harry away quickly at that point, who was also attached to Ginny as they went around with Slughorn greeting certain guests and introducing them all to Harry. Leo was thankful that the Professor's attention was focused on Harry though, as it meant he could ease into the night. "Would you like a drink?" He asked Hermione, who nodded as they went to grab two glasses of mead.

In reality the party was more of a networking event than a dance, with numerous past members of the Slug Club being rather influential in the Wizarding World. Leo and Hermione slowly moved around the room, speaking briefly to Wendy Slinkhard, Ambrosius Flume and Barnabas Cuffe before Leo's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets.

"Hamish MacFarlan…" He whispered, spotting the man who had given his Mother a job as the Head of her department.

"Who?" Hermione asked.

Leo began explaining. "He played for the Magpies, Fay's team, in the 50's and 60's before becoming the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. He gave mum a job before retiring about 10 years ago."

Hermione frowned. "So he's responsible for Ludo Bagman." She noted.

Leo smirked at her logic. "In a way." He took her hand. "Come on."

They moved over to where Hamish was speaking to Gwenog Jones, the latter of whom moved away just before they arrived. "Mr MacFarlan." Leo began.

"Ah, it's Hamish lad." Hamish stated. "Always at these events it's just Hamish. What can I do you for?"

"I just wanted to say it's an honour to meet you sir. My Mum always spoke highly of you." Leo began, shaking the elder man's hand. "Leo MacDonald, Mary is my Mother.."

Hamish broke into a grin at the recollection. "Aye of course, a bright young lass that was destined to work in sport. Your Granda must be old Magnus then?" Leo smiled sadly and nodded. "A fine shame that was, I was truly sorry to hear the news. I enjoyed my monthly talks with ol' Magnus despite him constantly petitioning me about that blasted game."

"He was obsessed with Creaothceann." Leo chuckled as he sipped his drink. "But he always spoke highly of you too."

The elder man smiled warmly at that comment. "Are you moving into sport too then lad? I still know a few people." Hamish wiggled his eyebrow.

"Not quite…" Leo began, though he left it there, not quite sure how much about his motivations he should say to his Mother's former boss.

"Leo wants to move into politics." Hermione beamed, noticing Leo wasn't going to add any more. "Hermione Granger, Mr MacFarlan, a pleasure to meet you."

"Granger… I don't know any Grangers." Hamish pondered bringing a hand to scratch his chin.

Hermione nodded. "You wouldn't, I'm Muggleborn, sir."

"Well that'll be why then." Hamish grinned. "Nice to meet you too, I don't suppose you're itching to move into the regulation of sports are you?"

Hermione chuckled. "Not quite." She repeated Leo's comment from earlier with a grin. "I'm leaning more towards the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

"We both want to make the world a better place." Leo added, realising for the first time that Hermione hadn't truly moved away from her S.P.E.W. idea. "For people and for creatures."

Hamish's grin lessened, but he nodded all the same. "Fine ideals, and some that are sorely needed right now I'll tell you that for nought. Though, it's important to temper your expectations, I remember full well the blood rush of youth, but wizards are a slow lot to change."

"We know." They both said together.

Hamish clapped his hands together. "Well good luck to you both, and say hi to your mam for me lad." He pointed over towards a middle-aged woman. "Come with me and I'll introduce you to Madam Prickle, she works in the DRMC."

Hermione's eyes lit up, and the next half an hour was spent with Hermione firing off all kinds of questions to Madam Prickle about the department and how they could help creatures of all kinds. Leo was happy to sit and listen, truly inspired by the enthusiasm Hermione was showing.

A rather flustered Harry and an excitable Ginny soon joined them as the teenagers moved over to the window for a small respite. "Slughorn is restless." Harry complained. "I feel like I'm a show horse being auctioned off."

"One of those interested parties is Gwenog Jones." Ginny rolled her eyes before her grin returned. "And she's heard of us!"

Leo's eyes bulged in surprise. "Are scouts watching your games too?"

Harry nodded. "They scout all the games in some form, but Gwenog said that they only really pay attention to 6th and 7th year players unless somebody unbelievably talented shows up on their radar."

"And she knows my name!" Ginny almost shrieked, such was her excitement. "If I could play professionally… I know I've only played one game as a chaser so far, but Gwenog says my versatility is a strength."

"Well you've just got to keep training hard haven't you." Harry smirked, earning himself a light, playful slap on the arm.

"What about you, Harry? Have you thought about your career afterwards?" Leo asked, not prepared for the mood between them to shift as Harry's smile fell.

"One step at a time, Leo mate." Harry shrugged. "I'm a bit busy at the moment to be thinking about a career."

Leo felt awful, but Hermione came to his defence almost instantly. "It's worth thinking about Harry." She told him, placing a hand on Leo's arm. "If you have a future to look forward to…"

"I like the idea of being an Auror." Harry interrupted abruptly, mainly to stop the conversation in its tracks. "But I need to focus on Voldemort."

There was a sudden chill in the air at the sound of the name and Leo felt like an absolute arse for bringing it up. "Sorry." He said softly, and thankfully Harry put on a fake smile to retrieve the jovial atmosphere, patting Leo on the back.

"No worries, but let's grab another drink."

They moved further into the tent and picked up another glass of mead each as Harry and Ginny began to explain some more about their own meetings. Apparently Professor Trelawney was drunk and lamenting Harry's absence in her classes while Eldred Worple wanted to write a biography on Harry.

"I mean I'm 16, what sort of biography would that be?" He was saying, the mead perhaps loosening Harry's tongue. "Ten years of the Dursley's, and then a few hijinks at school?"

Hermione scoffed. "Really Harry? Hijinks?" He shrugged. "You've always downplayed your achievements."

"He's just humble." Ginny shrugged, standing on her tiptoes so she could plant a kiss on his cheek.

"It's not even that." Harry frowned. "I just… I don't know, we had this discussion last year."

"And since then I've learned so much more defensive magic from you than I had in 5 years previously." Leo stated bluntly. "Whatever you see your experiences as mate, what you've learned from them is invaluable to a lot of people now."

Harry looked incredibly awkward, and he was saved as he started peering behind Leo and Hermione towards the entrance to the office. At his slight smirk, Leo turned around to watch as the caretaker Filch was dragging Draco Malfoy in by the ear.

"Professor Slughorn!" The Caretaker wheezed in glee. "I discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party and to have been delayed in setting out. Did you issue him with an invitation?"

Leo checked his watch as Malfoy began to admit he was gate crashing, but the time of 7 minutes to 10 made that statement almost ludicrous, the party had been ongoing for a couple of hours almost and it was an hour past curfew. Professor Slughorn however had indulged in a lot of mead, and began slurring as he waved away Filch's protests. "That's all right, Argus, that's all right. It's Christmas, and it's not a crime to want to come to a party. Just this once we'll forget any punishment. You may stay, Draco."

"He looks ill." Ginny whispered.

"He's up to something." Harry surmised.

Hermione groaned. "Not this again, Harry…"

"I told you in Diagon Alley what he is and you didn't believe me." Harry whispered. "I warned you that he was probably the one to attack Katie, and again you didn't believe me." He looked over at Malfoy again, who had now been dragged off by Professor Snape. "I'll be back later; I want to know what they're up to." And with that he was gone, his hand in his pockets retrieving something.

Hermione meanwhile was shaking her head as she downed her mead. "16 is too young." She stated again.

"You've been in Headquarters enough, Hermione." Ginny stated bluntly. "They recruited young last time too. And given how many we caught at the Ministry last year…" She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, the reminder of the battle that cost them Arthur Weasley brought up fresh grief. "I can understand Voldemort recruiting young, trying to get a feel on who at school will be sympathetic to his cause or not." The logic made sense to Leo, and he hated to admit it to himself. "I'm going to follow him, knowing Harry he'll do something that will get him in trouble." She said, before briskly walking out of the room.

Hermione looked frustrated, and so Leo put his half-finished drink down and offered a hand. "A dance to take your mind off of it?"

Hermione threatened a smile, but despite her face remaining unhappy, she took his hand and they moved into the middle of the room anyway and began swaying. "Have you changed your mind?" She asked quietly.

"I don't think he's a marked Death Eater." Leo shook his head. "But Ginny made some sense there Hermione, we know his parents are right in the middle of it all, and honestly who better at the school to be a foothold into recruiting the younger generation."

"I just worry he's focusing too much on Malfoy out of grief for Mr Weasley." Hermione explained. "Ron will believe him of course, and you just saw Ginny… I don't want them doing anything rash until we know something for certain. They've already lost enough…"

Leo nodded, though he knew that they would all no doubt lose a lot more before the end, and the Weasley's were nearly all involved somehow. "I'll speak to Sirius over Christmas and see what he thinks." He offered. "And I'll keep an eye on Harry too, if he'll let me."

Hermione smiled at that, leaning her head to rest it on his chest as they swayed to the music. "Thank you, Leo." She said softly, before all conversation stopped and the pair simply danced away to the music, enjoying the rare opportunity they had been given to spend a more intimate evening together.

Review:

Lightningscar: I loved writing the lines where Leo is debating between being sensible, and being a Quidditch fan that dislikes Slytherin! They'll continue to be teenagers for a little while but the war will definitely start to creep up on them…