Chapter 24: Photograph
Life around the castle fell into routine, or at least as much of a routine as Hogwarts would allow, that is. Classes were chugging along, Flitwick had Harry and Hermione start on the third year curriculum, telling them they'd be on fourth year before Christmas, and Geneva was a hit with the students, offering them a place to relax and talk with the other houses. Thanks to the D.A., Harry and Hermione were making connections through every house, though Ravenclaw was the toughest to crack.
They had thus far reached out to Padma Patil, Mandy Brocklehurst, Michael Corner and Terry Boot but Ravenclaw was so very insular. Even in the D.A., they only practiced among themselves. Outside of Ravenclaw, Harry still had a couple of issues, namely with two first year Gryffindors.
Try as he might, Colin still got nervous a little obsessive whenever Harry was near which made Harry uncomfortable. Not as uncomfortable as Ginny who seemed to stare at him non-stop. And then there was Herbology which, of the classes with a proper teacher, was his least favorite.
Gathered in one of the greenhouses, Harry and Hermione was grouped up with Susan and another dark haired boy.
"Justin Finch-Fletchley," the boy introduced himself, a tad arrogantly. "Susan has told me about you Harry Potter, Hermione Granger."
"Good to meet you," I guess, Harry finished inside his head.
"Don't worry about Justin," Susan said. "He acts like a Pompadour but he's a really nice guy."
Susan elbowed Justin as she spoke.
"Sorry," Justin relaxed a little. "I was down for Eton before I got my Hogwarts letter. You're supposed to act a certain way there. It is good to meet you both, though."
"Good to meet you as well, Justin," Hermione said as Professor Sprout called the class to order.
For the next hour, they worked to repot Mandrakes. Used in restorative potions, Mandrakes were incredibly useful plants. However, they also looked like human babies and their cries had enough power to incapacitate or even kill when mature.
After class, Harry scrubbed up and joined up with Hermione to walk back toward the castle only to be stopped by Colin.
"H-h-hey H-harry," Colin stammered. "Do you m-mind if I take that p-p-picture now?"
"Sure," Harry said and then he got an idea. "Can you actually take one of Hermione and me? Then maybe she can take one of me and you together?"
"Really?" Colin's excitement overrode his stammer. He raised the camera and took the photo of the two second years. "Hold on, there's a better photo."
He took a step back and to the right, turning the camera horizontal. There it was: a picture of Harry and Hermione with the castle in the background to their left and the mountains just over their right shoulders.
"Alright now me and you," Harry said. Colin moved next to Harry and Harry laid a hand on his shoulder. Colin looked up at Harry and Harry smiled down. That's when Hermione took the picture.
"Sorry," she said. "That was too good not to take. I'll take another with you looking at the camera."
"Thanks!" Colin said as he ran off. "This'll be great to send to my family."
Colin turned out to be a hit with the Gryffindors, taking photos of the Quidditch team, the entire class of second years and much, much more. It seemed like once they heard what he was doing, everyone was requesting a picture from young Mr. Creevey, including Lockhart, though his request was phrased the oddest.
"My photographer Anthony wouldn't like it if anyone else were to take photos of me," Lockhart tried to give Colin a roguish smile but it just ended up looking like he was selling toothpaste. "You should take a photo of me while you can, before he shuts you down."
Colin, like all males, was repulsed by Lockhart and he ensconced himself in a room near the Gryffindor common room to develop his photos.
"Hey Colin!" Harry called out as he knocked on the door. "Can I sit?"
"S-s-sure…" Colin was busy putting the photos through each liquid to properly develop them.
"How do you develop the photos?" Harry was curious about the process.
"For normal photos, there's a developer, a fixer and then a stop," Colin explained. "For these, since they're magical and will move there are two potions. First is the developer which brings back the motion of the image at the time of capturing, a repeater to allow that motion to repeat itself. The longer you develop it, the more motion will be captured. Then you put it into a stasis bath to keep the photo from aging. Look."
Colin was developing the photo he took of Hermione and him. It was beautiful with the background. From the photo, you could see the trees wafting in the wind and a few owls flying overhead.
"Wow Colin," Harry was amazed. "This is amazing. Really good photo!"
"Th-th-thank you!" Colins stammer reappeared.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, Harry."
"Sometimes you are just fine around me but sometimes I still catch you staring at me and when I talk to you, you stammer. Why is that?"
"I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable," Colin stared at his shoes for a moment. "The book that you pulled for me in Flourish and Blotts told me all about your defeat of You-Know-Who on Halloween 1981. The book also talked about the war and how it was going. Did you know they were rounding up muggleborns?"
Harry nodded
"They wanted to find out how they 'stole' magic and they also killed the muggleborn's parents to keep them from stealing more magic," Colin gazed into the potion with tears in his eyes. "I was born in June of 1981. I also have a brother who is two years younger than me. I love him so much. He's actually my best friend."
Tearfully Colin looked up at Harry.
"If you had not stopped You-Know-Who," Colin was openly weeping now. "I am sure I would have been captured and 'studied.' My parents would have been killed and Dennis… Dennis would not have been born.
"I know you hate your fame," Colin said. "But to me, you are the reason my brother is alive, that my parents still live and I thank you. You lost your parents and in doing so, you saved so many of us from similar, or worse, fates."
"Thank you for telling me this, Colin," Harry tried to comfort the small boy. "But I didn't stop Voldemort-that's his name by the way- my mother did. She deserves the praise. I am glad he was stopped and I hope to meet your brother some day. He sounds like a very special individual. In the future, just relax around me. I am just Harry. Come to Geneva, get to know me and the other kids. I'm sure it'll help. In the meantime, can I help you develop any of the photos?"
"No," Colin said, finally relaxing. "I am just about done here. Thank you, Harry."
Harry turned to exit the room when Colin called to him.
"Harry?" He said. "You're not 'just Harry,' you are more than that, to a lot of people. Remember that."
"Thankfully, I have a best friend who reminds me of it quite often," Harry smiled at Colin. "Maybe one of these days it'll stick.
Pondering what Colin had told him, Harry moved toward Gryffindor tower. When another group of voices drew his attention. In the middle of the hallway stood Luna with four Ravenclaw girls around her.
"Give that back!" Luna appeared to be trying to grab a picture frame that the girls were tossing between them. Luna was in tears as the other girls laughed.
"What? This?" The leader, a brunette girl Harry had never seen before, taunted. "Does Loony want her PICTURE back?"
The serene mask Luna had was gone as the girl collapsed down to her knees and openly sobbed.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" Harry shouted and levitated the picture into his hand. He looked at it. It was a picture of Luna in a blonde woman's arms. The woman was rocking Luna softly as Luna slept. "What is the meaning of this?"
"None of your business, Potter," the leader said again. "You might try to be everyone's friend but we know that isn't true. You're just a fake."
"What I am to you miss…"
"Edgecombe. Marietta Edgecombe," the girl finally introduced herself.
"Miss Edgecombe is irrelevant," Harry glared at her. "What I am to Luna very much is. I won't have my friends bullied; you hear?"
"Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it?"
"You'll see," Harry left it at that as he grabbed Luna and led her toward Gryffindor tower. "Just remember, all it will take for it to stop is an apology to Luna here."
Walking on, Luna wrapped an arm around Harry and pressed herself into him. Realizing where they were, Harry pulled the girl into the room where he had read the letters from his parents.
"Are you okay?" Harry said as he gave her the photo back.
"I am now," she said as she hugged the photo to her. "Marietta's mother works for the Ministry. Because of her mum, she doesn't like me, my father or The Quibbler. She took this from my bag before I could stop her."
"That looks like a special photo."
"It's the last one I ever got with my mom. I carry it with me always," Luna started to weep again. "Daddy took it. She died the next day. She was testing a spell she was creating and it backfired. I can still see the spell going toward her. I try to reach her to help but…"
Luna couldn't speak anymore as she was overwrought with sobs. Harry wondered what Hermione would do and came to the quick conclusion. Quickly, Harry brought her in for a hug, holding her tight like Hermione would. Luna molded into Harry as she soon collected herself.
"Thank you, Harry," Luna finally spoke. "You are a good hugger, you know that?"
"That's nice to hear," Harry laughed with the blonde. "Now, let's go to the tower. I have a meeting with a pair of twins that I am suddenly in need of."
"Why am I scared?" Luna wondered aloud.
"You? You have nothing to be scared of. Those other girls? They should be quaking in fear."
Once in the tower, Harry spotted Hermione sitting by the fire, finishing her homework. Harry guided Luna over toward the Terror Twins.
"Greg, Forge," Harry called out. "I have a need of you."
The twins looked up from their new brooms and smiled.
"Hello revered investor," George started.
"How may we help," Fred finished.
The next morning at breakfast, Harry watched as the four Ravenclaws sat down and began their breakfast. Harry looked at the twins who nodded at him. He made sure Luna as sat next to him with Hermione on his other side.
Eagerly, the girls drank their morning pumpkin juice and the next thing Harry knew, everyone in the hall was watching them as sonorous kicked in.
"I would rather talk about…" Marietta said before stopping. Suddenly, her body jerked and she shouted. "Day-O!"
In front of everyone, the four girls did an intricate music and dance number while singing Harry Belafonte's "Banana Boat" song. After a few minutes, the song died down and the girls retook their seats.
Laughter rang through the hall. Two of the girls, recognizing what this was, immediately hopped up and ran to apologize to Luna. Meanwhile, Hermione was torn between amusement and horror.
"I didn't think you liked Beetlejuice," Hermione said through her laughter.
"I didn't," Harry replied. "But that scene was unquestionably great. Let's just hope they apologize to Luna. There's more in store for them, thanks to the Weasley Wizarding Wheezes."
"Do I want to know?" Hermione gave him the side-eye.
"Probably not…" Harry gave her a grin that was positively feral. "But I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise, anyway."
Every morning the rest of that week, Marietta and the other girl, who Harry learned was called Cho Chang, gave an impromptu music and dance number, starting with a rumble from West Side Story, to Step in Time from Mary Poppins. It wasn't until they got done with Singing in the Rain, complete with personal rain shower, that they apologized.
Hermione was so caught up between the prank, classes, their sessions with Flitwick, the Potions club and the D.A. that she didn't even notice her birthday arrive. That is, until Hedwig flew into her dorm window with a white rose and a card.
Happy Birthday, Hermione.
Thank you for being the best friend anyone could ever ask for. Hope your day is as wonderful as possible.
Your friend,
Harry
Smiling warmly, Hermione thanked Hedwig and then set about her morning routine. Arriving in the common room, she noticed she was not alone, as was usual. There in the love seat next to the dying fire sat Harry.
"Happy Birthday, Hermione," Harry beamed at her, stood and went to give her a hug. Luna's right, Hermione thought, he is a good hugger.
Ever since the night where Harry stood up for Luna, she had become as much a part of their group as anyone and Hermione had developed a sisterly relationship with the little waif. Often Luna would study with them and showed them why the hat wanted her in Ravenclaw. Even though she was doing the first year curriculum, she absorbed the second year right along with it, her unique mind allowing her to process both things at once.
"Thank you Harry," Hermione smiled after Harry released her. "And thank you for the rose. It is lovely."
"It's actually got a preservation charm on it so it'll stay that way as long as you renew it every month," Harry explained. "I wanted a flower that would last as long as our friendship."
Hermione beamed at him, a warm feeling coursing through her as his she pondered his thoughtfulness. Together they set off down toward breakfast. Once they sat down, Thibault flew in with a gift and card from her parents.
"Thank you, Thibault," Hermione fed him a piece of bacon in thanks. "Are mum and dad taking good care of you?"
Thibault clicked his beak as if to say 'obviously.' Just as he was about to take off, Hedwig flew down as well. Thibault looked at her and clicked his beak. Hedwig screeched in response and together they flew out of the hall.
"Well it's good to know they're getting along," Hermione giggled. "I think Hedwig is sweet on Thibault."
"That or she's become attached to you and wants to make sure you're taken care of," Harry postulated.
Laughing, Hermione looked down to see the same setup as last year: a plate with a silver cover. Joy sparkling in her eyes, Hermione opened the lid to find an omelet with peppers, onions and spinach.
"Just like the one you made at Christmas," Hermione looked up in glee. "Thank you, Harry."
"Happy Birthday, Hermione," Harry said.
"It's your birthday!?" Unbeknownst to either of them, Luna had sat down next to Hermione.
"Yes it is but keep it quiet will you?" Hermione asked. "I don't like bringing special attention to myself on my birthday."
"But it's your birthday," Luna said simply. "It's the day that we celebrate you. If you weren't around, how different would things be?"
Harry shuddered and Hermione's minded skidded to a stop. Only Luna could have this affect on her. To keep perfectly neutral and yet advocate the logical reasons for an emotional act. It was quite indescribable.
"Thank you, Luna," Hermione smiled at the little blonde.
"Happy birthday, Hermione," Luna looked at her breakfast. "I must admit to being jealous. That looks delicious."
No sooner had Luna said that had an omelet appeared in front of her.
"Oh the wonderwhulfs listen here at Hogwarts!" She clapped and dug in.
After breakfast, Harry took Hermione on a walk around the castle grounds. Since it was Saturday, most students were still sleeping in. Harry saw the Slytherin team practicing on the pitch but otherwise the grounds were quiet. In silence, they walked toward the forest, Harry looking to the spot where they helped the unicorn last year. He wondered how the creature was doing, hoping that with Voldemort gone, it was happy and healthy.
They stopped by Hagrid's for a little before heading to the library to study ahead for the coming week's material and finally ending the day back in Gryffindor tower. Hermione opened the gift from her parents, the book on European Magical History she wanted in the bookstore. That was when Harry extricated two gifts from his bag, wrapped in periwinkle blue paper.
"Harry…." Hermione groaned. "What have you done?"
"Just what I always do," Harry wasn't abashed in the slightest.
Trembling slightly, Hermione opened the biggest one to find the Potions book she wanted this summer. Most Potente Potions the cover read.
"You're the best brewer in our year," Harry said. "I thought you'd be able to handle most of these."
"Oh Harry," Hermione wrapped him in a rib-cracking hug. "thankyouthankyouthankyou!"
"But wait, there's more!" Harry smiled at her as he pointed toward the other parcel.
In her excitement, Hermione ripped the paper off and a picture frame fell into her hands. Turning it over, she saw it was the photo of the two of them that Colin took with Hogwarts in the background.
"Wow!" Hermione was amazed. "This really is a great photo!"
"That's what I said," Harry said. "When he developed it, I couldn't believe how good it was and asked him to do a few extras. I sent your parents one and we each have one as well. I'll say, Colin has quite the talent for photography."
"Indeed. It's sweet you're being so nice to him, I know he makes you feel uncomfortable."
"He did… but then I talked to him about why. He's working to get over his overexuberance, which is more than I can say for others."
"Ginny still won't talk?"
"She had no issue talking ABOUT me or standing up to Malfoy but she won't talk TO me."
"Everyone deals with a crush differently," Hermione blushed as she spoke.
"Crush!?" Harry asked incredulously.
"You didn't know?" Hermione shook her head. "Merlin, Harry. She's not exactly subtle."
"And how do you deal with a crush?" Harry wanted to change the subject away from Doe-eyed Ginny Weasley.
"Well.. I…" Hermione sputtered. "It's complicated. Usually, I just ramble on or sometimes I freeze up and can't focus on anything."
"Like with Lockhart?" Harry teased.
"I'll admit to finding him attractive at first," Hermione said. "Then he opened his mouth and all that attraction went out the window. He's pretty but I need more than a pretty face to truly be attracted to someone."
"Oh?" Harry was intrigued. "What else do you need?"
"I need someone who can talk with me," Hermione said. "Someone to challenge me, push me, someone who can take my manic moments and tame them."
"Wow," Harry said. "That'll be a wonderful guy who can do all that."
"Oh he is," Hermione said before squeaking and blushing.
"Just let him know that if he hurts you, he'll have to answer to me," Harry tried to sound stern.
Oh if you only knew, Hermione laughed before saying aloud "Oh I'm sure he knows that."
Boys, Hermione thought as she went up to bed. So oblivious.
Turning over, she looked at the photo that was set on her bedside table, next to the rose. She smiled at the thought her best friend put into making her birthday special and fell into a peaceful slumber.
(A/N: Good lord you guys came through on the prank ideas. I might spend a little extra time revising the next chapters, accordingly. Thank you to everyone who has read, followed, favorited at commented. Your contributions are very much appreciated.)