The party had apparently reached its peak sometime around midnight. New pranks had been put on display for the benefit of the family and even Molly Weasley was laughing heartily at the red, furry form of Ron the giant bunny. The enchantment was of a short duration and after it expired the laughter continued. It seemed that the urge to eat copious amounts of carrots remained and Ron went into a snit over the side-effect.
Ginny and Draco arrived shortly after Harry and Hermione had and the two women disappeared upstairs. Draco excused himself and disapparated when he wasn't under the protection of his girlfriend, leaving several grumbling Weasley men in his wake.
The night wore on with games of exploding snap and wizard's chess when Hermione reappeared at the ground floor landing.
"I need to head home." She announced to the frowns of Harry and Ron. "Big couple of days coming up." Hermione explained quickly.
The frown on Harry's face didn't let up. He joined her in the announcement to leave for the evening and the two wished everyone a good night.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Ron." Harry said with a smile. "I'm going to see if I can pry any information from her ..." He whispered conspiratorially to his redheaded flatmate.
Ron nodded and clapped Harry on the shoulder. "Good luck."
"What was the good luck for?" Hermione asked after they'd stepped into the cool night air.
"Oh ... About the auction." Harry quickly pieced a story together. "Ron thinks it would be grand if I was bought by a group of women rather than just one." He rolled his eyes at Hermione's look of disgust.
"I don't think you'd be happy with that." She said quietly. "Too much attention."
Harry laughed. "That's true. I don't think there are enough bright women in the Quidditch groupie community that could piece a plan like that together." He sighed and looked to his feet as they walked out of the garden.
"What's wrong? Do you want a gaggle of fawning groupies buying you?"
Harry looked to his best friend and grinned at her sarcasm. "Ron might want something like that but I'm a one woman kind of guy, you know that."
Hermione smiled and looked to the stars. "Then why is it you haven't dated anyone since Cho?"
"Cho Chang? I haven't thought about her since the trip back at the end of fifth year ..."
"That doesn't answer the question."
"Oh, well I guess I haven't found anyone that could come anywhere close to filling your shoes." Harry admitted with a smile.
"What?"
"What do you mean 'What?'? You're my best friend, Hermione, and anyone I've thought about dating I compared to you." Harry explained matter-of-factly.
"You compare other women to me?" Hermione asked, stunned.
"Of course! I love spending time with you, we can talk about anything, you're brilliant and anyone who thinks they can get between us has another thing coming." He smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "And they have to meet your approval."
"Harry, you don't need my permission or approval to date someone ..." Hermione said quietly as she looked ahead of them. They had apparated to Diagon Alley without her notice and she looked around at the people who were still out and about. A group of women were appraising Harry and Hermione looked quickly to him. He hadn't noticed or was ignoring them, she couldn't tell but it gave her a slight bit of comfort knowing that.
"I know I don't need it." He said thoughtfully. "But I want it. I want you to like who I'm dating because your opinion means the world to me."
Hermione looked into his sparkling green eyes and smiled warmly. "Thank you for that." She said quietly. "And for the walk home ..."
Harry looked up and laughed. "I guess I spend as much time here as you used to ..." Flourish and Blotts' was standing regally in front of the couple. Perched atop the wizarding book store was a new apartment, one that Hermione had put in when she bought the store below. It was still run by the same personnel the only difference was not having to pay for books. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"
"Do you have to ask for permission for everything, Harry?" Hermione said with a laugh.
He blushed but grinned at her quip. "Ok then, do you know who decided the date and day with me for the bachelor's auction?"
Hermione's eyes widened for a moment. "I thought you'd ask something along those lines ... No, I was asked for a charity the event could sponsor. After all the horrid stories I'd heard about you and the ... Your relatives, I thought Comic Relief was a perfect fit. Think about all the children that we can help avoid the treatment you went through, Harry!"
Harry smiled sweetly and kissed his best friend on the forehead. "You are a wonderful woman, you know that?" He pulled her into a hug and released her after a moment. "Could you do me a favor then?"
Hermione seemed a bit flustered but nodded quietly.
"I'll back you if you can put the highest bid in for me. I don't want to be dragged off by someone I don't know ... Why are you shaking your head?"
"I can't, Harry. I want to be there for you but I have so much paperwork to take care of that I don't think I'll be able to finish until next week ..." She looked to the sidewalk as she talked and sighed. "Listen, the event is open for both wizarding and non-wizarding worlds ..." She looked back to his face and smiled apologetically. "There's a good chance that someone you don't know, or doesn't know about you, could win and you'll have a great time. Don't let this," she moved his bangs out of the way to reveal the object of his fame, "Get in the way of what could be the best time of your life."
"Hermione ... Can't you ignore the paperwork for this one night?" He pleaded with her. "I know we have fun together and a day plus date could get us to Paris or Rome ... Hell, we could apparate anywhere and soak in the anonymity of it all ..."
"Harry, I wish I could, I really do ... Rome would be wonderful, actually Sicily is said to be even more fun ... But I need to get this paperwork done or I won't have time to do anything at all until next Christmas!"
Harry hung his head in defeat. "It won't be the same, but I guess I'll have to do this on my own then ..."
"Harry, you won't be on your own." Hermione cupped his cheek tenderly and smiled. "I'm sure you'll do fine, Ron and Wood will be there. Ginny is going to keep an eye on things so you'll have some protection against crazed fans again."
Harry grimaced. "I don't know how that girl got past the wards and security ... When I opened my locker to a squealing fan I could have been sent to Azkaban if I hadn't stopped myself!"
"Luckily for her you didn't have your wand, let alone your clothes." Hermione laughed at the sight.
"Unlucky for me!" Harry laughed in response.
"Goodnight, Harry, I'm going to be in the office so much that I don't think I'll be able to see you until next Wednesday." She pouted and pulled him into a hug. "We haven't been apart for so long since we were in school."
"I'll stop by for lunch on Friday, how about that? I'll bring your favorite dish ..." He smiled and kissed the top of her head.
"That would be lovely, but try to come around fourteen? I have meetings until thirteen."
"No problem." He said with a smile and waved as Hermione stepped through the door to her flat. He looked down and noticed a pink hair ribbon that Hermione must have dropped. I'll give it to her Friday ... He smiled inwardly and pocketed the garment. With a pop, he was back in his own flat feeling slightly depressed.
"Hey, Harry." Ron said with a smile from the kitchen. "What did you find out?"
"Hermione was the one who chose the charity and she won't be at the event." He said dejectedly. "Other than that, I didn't really ask much more.
"Whose idea was the date to the winners?"
It's not just me then ... Harry let out a relieved breath and hung his cloak. "Hermione didn't say. Listen, I'm going to head to bed. I'm going to work with Marcus tomorrow with his flying."
"Harry?" Hermione's voice echoed from the den.
"Hey, I thought you were going to bed?" He said with a smile to the green rendition of Hermione's head in his fireplace.
"I was going to but was wondering if you'd found something outside my flat ..."
"Oh, was it a hair ribbon?" He asked nonchalantly. "Yeah, I found it." He reached into his pocket and showed it to her. "I was going to give it to you Friday."
"Oh, I need to return it to a friend at the office tomorrow." She said quickly. "Do you mind?"
Harry laughed. "Not in the least, are you decent?"
With the nod of her head, Harry found himself standing in her parlor after the pop of apparition. She extracted herself from the fireplace and smiled weakly.
"Sorry, Harry, you must be getting tired after all the apparating today."
"I'm fine." He said with a chuckle. "Here's the ribbon. Have a good night and don't work to hard this week ... You still need to sleep more than two hours a night ..."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly, I sleep for a day and miss out on one thing and I'm working too hard. I had a big project due that week ..."
"I know, I know." Harry said with a soft smile. "I'll see you Friday, Hermione, goodnight." With a final hug for the night, Harry stepped back and went to his desk after the return trip home. He picked up the invitation and scanned it once again. "Both muggle and wizarding ... How are they going to pull that one off?" He shook his head and put the invitation back in its place on the desk.
"You want a sandwich or anything?" Ron asked as he stepped into the den. "I got a bit hungry after the party ... That damn carrot craving ended an hour ago."
Harry laughed. "That was a good prank, I mean, who ever thought of a two meter tall rabbit was a genius!"
"Ha! Ha! Ha!" Ron looked at Harry dryly. "It was funny at first but it's quickly losing its charm, mate. Did I hear you disapparate a few minutes ago?"
"Yeah, Hermione dropped a ribbon and I picked it up after she'd already gone into her flat. She flooed and asked for it." He shrugged. "I've never seen her wear a hair ribbon before ... Maybe her hair is getting in the way?"
Ron smiled. "Who knows? Listen, I've got practice tomorrow and it'll be all day. After that, I'm going to be at Mum's so I'll see you Saturday at the auction."
"It seems everyone has something to do besides me." Harry said with a grin. "Tell Mum I said hi. I'm going to have lunch with Hermione Friday." Harry leaned back and looked at the ceiling. "Have you ever thought of doing anything other than Quidditch?"
"Are you barking mad?!" Ron asked with disbelief.
"I might be." Harry said with a grin.
"Why on earth would you give up the game?" Ron pulled up a chair and slumped into it.
"I don't know." Harry admitted as his eyes glazed over. "I'm training up a new reserve player and I'm really enjoying watching his skills grow." He looked at Ron and grinned at the shocked look on his friend's face. "Well, I love flying and I love playing but something clicked when I saw the guy go from nervous to confident ... He's no where near where he needs to be but it seems oddly satisfying to see what I'm teaching him click."
"That's great, Harry." Ron said with a shake of his head. "What do you plan on doing? Setting up the Harry Potter school of flight?"
Harry laughed. "No, nothing so dramatic." He admitted with a grin. "Maybe I'll talk to Wood about giving tips to the team ..."
"Oh, no ... If everyone on that blasted team of yours flies like you do, we won't stand a chance against you next season!"
"When they pull you out of reserves, there's a good chance that the Cannons will have at least some talent riding into the league next year ..." Harry said with a grin. Ron brightened immediately.
"You think so?"
"You're a brilliant keeper, Ron. I'm surprised they haven't moved you to first string yet."
"Thanks, Harry." Ron said with a smile. "I should get my snack then get to bed, a lot of practice tomorrow." He returned the chair and stood. "I brought back some of Mum's chicken if you want something to eat ..."
"Thanks. I'll probably have it for lunch tomorrow." Harry said with a yawn. "Can't skirt the training diet ..."
Ron waved dismissively and laughed. "Diets won't win points in the game. It's the strategy."
"I'm not going to fall into that argument again." Harry said with a laugh. "I'll see you later, Ron." He sat quietly in the den for a few more minutes before heading to his room. I wonder if Madam Hooch needs an assistant ... Oh, well there'll be plenty of time to deal with things after Saturday. He thought to himself while he changed. After placing his glasses in their customary spot on the bedside table, he closed his eyes and was sound asleep.
The next day went by in a blur both figuratively and literally as Harry spent the day working one on one with Marcus. After his conversation with Ron the previous night, he'd come to a decision that would affect the team drastically after this season and started working the reserve seeker through a hard training session.
"Marcus, you need to use your peripheral vision more." Harry explained as they traced invisible lines around the pitch. "Keep your eyes open for flashes of gold and be ready to chase after it whenever you do see something. No hesitation."
"Harry, this is a lost cause." Marcus grunted in frustration. "I can track the snitch when it's close by, but I have a problem concentrating when a bludger could hit me from anywhere ..."
"That is a concern ... But you've got to trust your beaters more, they're there to help you. Now, let's go through the maneuvers we've been working on and try to keep up with me as best you can."
Marcus nodded and shot off after Harry as the more experienced flyer began what could only be described as an aerial ballet. The young man kept his pace and followed every move without hesitation until the speed began to overwhelm him.
"Don't concentrate on the speed!" Harry shouted over his shoulder. "Your broom can handle it!" Marcus paled and Harry pulled a three-sixty to catch his teammate as he began to slip from his Nimbus Two-thousand and One. "Steady, steady ... Take a few deep breaths, we're slowing down now ..."
The color returned to Marcus' face and his breathing began to return to normal as Harry guided his broom to the pitch. They landed softly and his knees buckled as his weight attempted to assert itself on the young man's shaking legs.
"Whoa, you alright there, Marcus?" Harry asked with concern. He summoned a bottle of water and handed it to his shaken teammate. "Take a few sips, don't swallow or you'll get sick."
"Thanks, Harry." Marcus wheezed from the ground. "Sorry about that ..."
"No need to apologize." Harry said as he sat next to him. "What went through your mind just then?" He noticed the startled look and smiled comfortingly. "Don't worry, mate, I'm just trying to see how you tick and help you find your limits ..."
Marcus sighed and nodded. "My mum died when I was young ..." He began quietly. "She was flying to my aunt's house when she got caught in a Death Eater attack ... She was flying too fast to out-maneuver the killing curse and the broom took her into the side of a muggle smokestack. She didn't feel anything, of course, but the speed she was flying at did a wonder on her ..."
Harry placed a hand on Marcus' shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly. "I remember reading about that." Harry said quietly. "I should have connected your last names. So is that why the speed gets to you?"
Marcus nodded and examined the water bottle. "I keep seeing Mum ... I'll try harder, Harry!" He looked up with determination in his eyes and Harry smiled at him.
"No more today. Listen, I think it would be good to talk to someone more qualified to help you with that. I know a great doctor who helped quite a few people after the war. I think you should see her about this."
"Dad didn't think it was worth the money to talk to someone about your problems ..." Marcus said dejectedly.
"Your dad might find it helpful too, but that's a different battle altogether. I'll let Wood know the circumstances and he'll get the funding for you from the owner. We'll keep it anonymous so your father doesn't know who it is. We'll tell him it's a war related flashback and there shouldn't be a problem after that. I'll get you her information when we have everything squared away."
Marcus looked at Harry with respect and smiled. "You're a good man, Harry." He said with a chuckle. "Thanks for this."
"No need to thank me." Harry said with a smile as he stood and offered help to his teammate. "There's still too much hurt because of Voldemort and his followers and that's something I can't stomach. We need to wipe out the fear and sadness he's caused. Listen, I think that's it for today. I'll talk to Wood tonight and I'll owl you the information. Hit the showers and I'll see you on Sunday."
Marcus smiled and trotted off with his Nimbus towards the locker room. Harry sighed and stretched out lazily on the green grass of the pitch to watch the clouds overhead. He smiled at the different shapes he'd spotted floating lazily across the field of blue when a shadow fell across his face.
"Can I help you?" He asked the woman standing on the pitch. She was slightly shorter than him with short, auburn hair in a ponytail. Her piercing blue eyes seemed somewhat comforting to him. Her skin was the proverbial alabaster with a slight hint of freckling and her conservative clothes easily kept the sun from causing more of the small, brown spots from accentuating the rest of her shapely body.
"I ..." She said hesitantly. "I'm sorry I'm new in the area and was wondering where I might find a Mr. Harry Potter?" Her accent sounded a bit like Seamus' and the look of worry on her face made his heart reach out to her. He got to his feet and brushed himself off.
"I'm Harry Potter ... Do I know you?" He asked quizzically. There was something about this woman that seemed familiar but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"You are? Well, I was expecting someone a bit more ... larger than life." She said with a slight smile. "We haven't met so I don't think you'd know me."
Harry nodded and furrowed his brow. "If not for the Irish accent, I'd have to say that you bore a striking resemblance to the Weasley family." Harry said with a grin. "Is there something I can do for you?" He waited silently for an autograph request or some other absurd suggestion that his fame brought to him.
"To tell you the truth, I'm going to the charity event this Saturday and just wanted to see what you looked like in person. I've only read about you ..." She said with a blush and looked to the ground. "The books don't do you justice ... I overheard what you said to your teammate and that was very nice what you did for him ... I'm sorry I eavesdropped!" She took a step back seemingly to brace herself for a tongue-lashing and looked to his face.
Harry smiled and nodded. "That's alright. Marcus needs to get some help because of what happened to his Mum. I'm sorry, but I need to get going. It was nice to meet you ... um Miss?"
"Covert." She extended her hand and Harry shook it politely. "Connie Covert."
"It's a pleasure, Miss Covert. I would suggest not sneaking onto the Puddlemere United practice pitch again, security can get rough. I assume you're a witch otherwise the wards would not have let you by."
"I am, and thank you for the warning, Mr. Potter." She said with a lowered head. "It was nice to meet you ... in person."
"You can call me Harry." He said with a smile. "It was nice meeting you too, if you'll excuse me?" Harry smiled again and made his way to the locker room. He looked back to find that she had already disappeared and shook his head. Connie Covert? He smiled slightly and after a hot shower and change, he was back at his flat holding a conference with Wood.
The two friends discussed their teammate's issues and after a short pause for Wood to speak with the owner, Harry had Hedwig on her way with the promised information for Marcus.
Harry found his mind wandering back to the redheaded Miss Covert several times the rest of the day as he shopped for the ingredients for Hermione's and his lunch the following afternoon. He figured he'd have to talk to her about how strange it felt to not be under a scrutinizing eye. As a matter of fact, when he thought about the brief encounter with the strange visitor he realized just how natural it felt to talk to her, he wasn't nervous, he didn't feel the least bit ogled, and the strange familiarity seemed to excite him.
The next morning was spent cooking Hermione's favorite entrée and readying himself for their lunch later in the day. When everything was perfect, he tucked the bouquet of flowers he'd gotten earlier that day under his arm and apparated to the Ministry's apparition point outside the main lobby. After a quick visit with the security guard and signing in, he was standing outside his best friend's office waiting patiently for her to answer his knock.
The door swung open and a tired-looking Hermione smiled as she ushered him through the door. "Sorry, I was taking a small break and must have dozed off." She said with a slight yawn.
"You look exhausted." Harry said with a kiss to her cheek. "These are for you." He said with a smile and presented the tulips he'd gotten her earlier. "As is this." He presented the basket full of food and grinned at the look on her face.
"What?" She said with a smile.
"I like how you smile at the small things." Harry said with a shrug. "Now have a seat and we'll have lunch. How's the paperwork going?"
Hermione looked around her office quickly. "It's going well ... I had my assistant fetch copies of a few forms I need ... There's so much I have to fill out for one event! It's maddening!"
Harry stood behind the now seated Hermione and began to slowly massage her shoulders. "I'm sure you're doing a wonderful job." He said softly as she closed her eyes and moaned.
"Oh, that feels so good." She said quietly. "Can I take you home for more of this?" She asked then stiffened suddenly.
"What's wrong?" Harry laughed. "Do you want me to stop?"
Hermione shook her head and seemed to relax. "S-sorry ..." She mumbled.
"That's ok." He said after a few more moments of running his thumbs over her lower neck. "Hey, do you mind if I ask you for some advice?"
"Advice? About what?" She asked hesitantly.
Harry pulled up a chair on the other side of her desk and took a seat. "Well, I sort of met someone."
"You did?" She asked in surprise. "When did this happen?"
"Yesterday, actually." He admitted. "I don't know what's wrong with me ... She seemed familiar but I couldn't track down what it was about her ..."
"Do you know her name? Where did you meet her?" Hermione asked nonchalantly as she dug into her lunch. "This is excellent pasta, Harry."
He smiled at her complement. "It's your favorite ... Her name is Connie Covert and I think she's from Ireland, or she lived there for some time."
Hermione nodded as she took a drink from her glass. "Is her accent strong?"
Harry shook his head. "The first thing that ran through my head was: Weasley." Hermione spit out the water she'd just sipped and began to cough. "Whoa, are you alright there?" He reached over and rubbed her back.
Hermione held up a hand that she was fine and after recovering from the coughing fit looked up to him. "Weasley?"
Harry nodded but still held a look of concern on his face. "Red hair, freckles, blue eyes ... If not for the accent and name I would have guessed she was related to Dad."
"Oh." She said with a slight smile. "Well, it could be possible, I guess. Did you notice a wedding ring or any jewelry?"
"She was wearing a black and silver choker but no rings or earrings ... Do you think I should ask her out on a date or something?"
"Do you know where she is?" Hermione asked after dabbing the corners of her mouth with a napkin.
Harry sighed. "Well, there's that obstacle." He perked up. "She said she'd be at the auction ..."
"Maybe she'll bid on you then." Hermione offered in a business-like manner. "If not, you could always ask her afterwards."
"So you're ok with this?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Hermione said with a dismissive wave. "It's not like we're dating or anything ..."
Harry smiled and pulled her into a sudden hug. "I'm glad I talked to you." He said with a sigh of relief.
Hermione raised an eyebrow at his reaction and pulled away. "I need to get back to work, Harry." She said after a moment. "The lunch was wonderful, thank you. Where'd you find it? I'd like to visit the restaurant some evening."
"Oh, you'll have to visit my flat then." He said as he cleared away the plates into his basket. "I put it together this morning before I came down."
"You cooked this?" She asked with wide eyes. Harry nodded and smiled at her. "You still surprise me after all this time, Harry." She said with a smile.
"I've never had occasion to cook before." He said with a grin. "I'm glad you liked it, I was afraid that the only things I was good at were Quidditch and defense against the dark arts ..."
"Harry, you've got more talents than you realize." Hermione said concernedly. "Fighting dark wizards and chasing after a snitch aren't the only things you're capable of ... You could do anything you chose, believe that."
Harry smiled at her as they crossed back to the door to her office. "I'll try. I guess I'll see you next Wednesday ..."
"See you then, Harry." She said with a smile. "Don't sell yourself short, you still surprise me and I know you better than I know myself."
With a final hug, Hermione shut herself in her office leaving Harry standing in the hallway looking at the door. "Thanks, Hermione ... I think I'll floo Madam Hooch this afternoon instead of Monday." He said quietly to the woman in her closed office. "Nothing left to do today but get ready for tomorrow ... I don't know why I'm doing this but here goes nothing ..."