Disclaimer: I don't own any of this...if I did I would have gotten the 5th book out already *grumbles about having to wait*
Author Notes: Wow! I feel so special! The amount of reviews I've got for this is an all time high! ^^ I'd like
to thank everyone who reviewed
Also I would like to acknowledge this site: http://www.geocities.com/hogwartsontheweb/comc.html for their excellent
information on phoenixes. Thanks!
Chapter 3
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"So did you two have an interesting divination lesson?" Hermione asked casually over lunch.
Harry blushed a little and mumbled something about not knowing how it got there.
Ron smiled a little and winked to Lavender, "Oh yeah! It was really cool wasn't it Harry?" he asked, but Harry quickly busied himself with rubbing an apple on his robes, "Harry even found something that was so cool! But he won't show you it. I don't know why." Ron said grinning.
Harry glared at Ron and sighed and passed over the phoenix stone to Hermione, their fingers brushing against each other slightly, but they both ignored it to Rons frustration.
"Wow Harry." Hermione gasped, "This is a phoenix stone! They're known to be a stone of true love. I've heard that they protect the person who they bond to and their lover."
Harry blushed slightly, "Yeah so I heard."
"But does that mean that it'll protect both of you guys from each other?" Ron pondered as he loaded his plate with sandwhiches.
Harry blushed, "I-er- I don't know." Harry said not quite looking at Hermione.
Hermione smiled to herself, 'He looks so adorable when he does that. Like a little puppy. But I wouldn't mind if he pounced on ME anyday- Hermione! Don't think things like that!' Hermione thought to herself.
"Well here you go Harry." she said handing it back to Harry.
Harry smiled and quickly pocketed it, "So what have we got after lunch?" he asked biting into the crisp green apple in his hand.
"Umm...defense against the dark arts." Hermione said consulting her schedule, "And if you two don't hurry up we'll be late!"
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"See Hermione we made it with loads of time." Ron said as the trio sat down at their usual table in their DADA class.
Hermione humphed loudly, "Hardly." she said as Professor Moody walked in.
Professor Moody had come to work at Hogwarts for the year, but for only the year. He was exactly the same as the imposter Moody from 4th year but there was something different about him. To Harry he seemed more...real.
"Alright open you're books to page 163. Today we study phoenixes. They're handy things and there will be a test next class on them so pay attention." Moody said gruffly.
Everyone flicked their books open quickly, Moodys classes were ones that you listened carefully in.
"Phoenixes are amazing creatures." Moody murmurred, "Alright read from page 163 to 165 and summarise it. Make key notes about phoenixes and any facts that are intriguing to you." he said raising his voice for everyone to hear this bit.
Harry looked down at the two pages assigned. He sighed and wrote a quick summary. 'The phoenix is a magnificent, swan-sized, scarlet bird with a long golden tail, beak, and talons. It nests on mountain peaks and is found in Egypt, India, and China. The phoenix lives to an immense age as it can regenerate, bursting into flames when its body begins to fail and rising again from the ashes as a chick. The phoenix is a gentle creature that has never been known to kill and eat only herbs. Like the Diricawl, it can disappear and reappear at will. Phoenix song is magical; it is reputed to increase the courage of the pure of heart and to strike fear into the hearts of the impure. Phoenix tears have powerful healing properties.' he wrote.
'Fawkes.' Harry thought, 'I haven't seen Fawkes in a while...'
"Harry are you done?" Hermione whispered, nudging him slightly.
Harry nodded and looked from her long summary to his short paragraph and bit back a grin, "He did say key notes and facts that are intriguing 'Mione. Not to copy it."
Hermione gave him a rueful look, "Oh be quiet!" she said, smiling herself.
"I'll assume by your talking Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger that you have finished." Moody said coming to a stop in front of them.
"Er...yes Professor." Harry said.
"Well then I suggest you start reading over this." Moody said handing them both a piece of parchment with writing, "This is an assignment." Moody said waving the parchment for everyone to see, "When you've finished your summaries I want you to read through this assignment and choose what creature you'll use. After consulting with me I'll decide whether or not it is suitable." he said and began handing out the parchment.
"Aw man." Ron sighed, throwing down his quill, "I hate assignments."
Harry nodded, "Me too. I have no idea when I'll get this done...what with the extra Quidditch practises and those training sessions with Moody and all the other homework I've got." he moaned.
Hermione put her hand over his and gently rubbed up and down, "Don't worry Harry. We'll help you out."
Harry smiled a little and looked up to meet her eyes, an urge to reach out and gently kiss her was overwhelming. Her lips were soft and looked so rosy. Harry's mouth went dry and he leaned forward a bit. But caught himself just before he kissed her.
'Damnit. Alright not in here. And not in front of Ron. I've got to remember.' Harry thought to himself flashing Hermione a look of longing.
Hermione blushed slightly and nodded her head slightly. Ron let out a loud sigh and slumped back into his chair, 'Grah. That's was so close. Okay so it wasn't in the common room but it would have been in front of everyone...and they just....they just didn't! Oh this is getting so frustrating.' Ron said to himself.
"Er...so what do we have to do?" Harry asked looking down at the parchment.
"It seems we have to choose two magical creature and write a 25 parchment long essay on them and anything connected with them. But it doesn't say if they have to be connected in anyway. Hmm.. Professor?" Hermione asked putting her hand up.
Professor Moody came of swiftly, "Yes Ms. Granger?" he asked.
"Professor it says here to choose two magical creatures but do they have to be connected? Like related?" she asked confused.
Professor Moody smiled, which made his face look even more twisted, "That is a very good question. In a way...yes they do. But not in the way you might think. For instance you could choose a werewolf and also choose a hippogriff. And they would be related in a way because a werewolf has two forms. Two parts to him or her. As does a hippogriff it is half horse half bird. You see? Distance relationships are fine. I'll accept any sort of connection no matter how....distant." he said.
Hermione grinned happily, "Well I know one of the magical creatures I'm going to do! Elves of course!" she said.
Ron and Harry rolled their eyes stimultaneously, "Goodie." Ron said sarcastically but Hermione ignored him.
"You two had better choose soon. And get working so then you don't fall behind." she said as she thought hard about what other animal to choose.
'What animals are you two choosing?" Hermione asked.
Ron shrugged, "I don't know I was thinking maybe I'd do gnomes as one of them and maybe like...faries. Just because we have both of those in our garden and stuff so I know a bit about them."
Hermione gave him a big smile, "That's great Ron! I'm so glad you've chosen! What about you Harry?" she asked.
Harry smiled a little awkwardly, "Er...I don't really know..." he said.
Hermione gave him a little hug, "I'm sure you'll think of something! You always do." she said, there was an unmistakable bit of pride in her voice.
Harry blushed a little, "Thanks." he whispered to her.
She smiled up at him, her eyes suddenly seemed to entrap him. His heart was thudding in his chest as it always did when she touched him or smiled at him. And the urge to kiss her was strong again. Harry felt his hand lift and gently brush her cheek.
Ron leaned forward, grinning.
Hermiones eyes fluttered, "Harry." she breathed as he drew closer.
"What's going on here?" Professor Moody asked as he stopped in front of them.
Harry instantly drew his hand back and stared at Moody shocked, "Er...Hermione had...an eyelash on her cheek. Just getting it off for her." Harry lied quickly.
Ron moaned loudly and banged his head on the table hard, "OWWW!" he cried rubbing it, at the same time blushing as Moody stared at him like he was insane.
Turning his attention back to Harry and Hermione Moody asked, "Have you chosen?"
Hermione nodded, "I have. I was thinking I'd do house elves as one of them. It would be a good way to get across some of my points about how mistreated they are! I mean they don't get holidays or pay or anything! And some of them are so mistreated!" Hermione launched into her 'the-poor- house-elves' speech much to Harrys dismay...and Professor Moody.
When Hermione paused for a breath Moody quickly said, "And you Potter?"
Harrys mouth twisted to the side, "Hm...I don't really know yet. I can't quite think of anything right."
Moody nodded, "Alright. Well if you still havent decided by this evening perhaps you'll get some ideas after training this evening." The bell rang for the end of class, "good day." he said.
Hermione paused, "Professor I was wondering, about house elves..." she started again.
Moody gave Harry a 'save-me-before-i-turn-her-into-something' look. Harry bit back a grin, "Come on Hermione." he said.
"But Harry I want to ask Professor Moody-" Hermione said frowning.
Harry quickly interrupted her by whispering in her ear, "Come on. We can get away from Ron if we go now." his breath gently tickling her ear.
Hermoine blushed a little, "Well...alright then. Goodybe Professor." she said and collected her things.
"What did you say to her?" Moody asked quietly.
Harry blushed a little, "I...er...I told her that I'd...listen to her S.P.E.W speech." he lied again.
Moody raised an eyebrow but dismissed him. Hermione and Harry ran out ahead of Ron, laughing.
"Harry! The look on your face when he asked you that!" Hermione giggled as they quickly made their way to the common room.
"Well what was I supposed to say? That I told you if we were quick we could get in a snog before everyone came?" Harry laughed.
Hermione shook her head and they quickly reached the Gryffindor common room ("Spotted pumpkin juice") and ran up to Harrys room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Harry?" Ron called through the door.
There were sounds of shuffling, a bit of swearing and the sound of Harry coming to the door, "Uh yeah?" Harry asked opening the door a couple of inches.
"Do you mind if I come in?" Ron asked casually trying to peer around the door.
"Er I'm a little busy Ron. Why don't you come back in half an hour." Harry said, blushing a little.
"Hermione in there?" Ron asked, still trying to see.
"Why would she be?" Harry asked, his voice sounding a little squeaky.
"Oh I don't know. Just thought she might be." Ron said.
"Er look Ron I- ah! Hold on." Harry said shutting the door.
Ron put his ear to the door and could hear Harry whispering, "'Mione! I'm trying to talk to Ron. You can't do that. Come on. Just ho-ho-" Harry was cut off here.
Ron raised an eyebrow, "Er Harry? Hermione? I don't mean to interrupt but you know I kind of need to come in. I'll be quick. You won't even know I'm there." he called through the door.
There was silence then, "Alright hold on."
Ron waited and a couple of minutes later the door opened, Harry was looking a little agitated and a little peeved that they had been interupted. Hermione was sitting on Harrys bed, fully clothed and smiling.
"I thought Hermione wasn't here." Ron teased Harry as he grabbed threw his books in his trunk and pulled out a couple of packs of cards, tricks and lollies.
Harry blushed, "Er...right. Sorry. Yeah Hermiones here...obviously. Done?" he prodded.
Ron straightened up, "Yeah. Wouldn't want to interrupt you two shagging it up, up here." he said waving as he left.
"Sha-Ron wait." Harry said grabbing the back of Rons robes.
"Hmmm?" Ron asked turning around, an innocent look on his face, "We weren't shagging." Harry said blushing at the last word.
Hermione shook her head, "Nope. And if we HAD of been then you wouldn't be in here." she said, giving Ron an innocent look back.
Ron gave them a suspicious look, "Everyone knows you two are together you realise." he said.
Harry nodded, "Well yeah. I thought everyone knew."
Ron sighed, "Well yes...but I mean well a load of people think you two are just like not. You know? They think your a couple but I mean since they've never seen you kiss it's not like they've had any proof." he said hinting.
Harrys eyebrows shot up, "We have!" he said then blushed realising what he'd said, "Er...I mean."
Ron tried to hold back laughter, "Well Fred and George have bets on whether you two are actually a couple. And so far everyones betting you aren't."
Harry stared shocked, "Well do you?" he asked.
Ron shook his head, "I think you are. I mean. I'd win so much money if you two kissed in front of everyone but...well I can't see that happening so yeah. Have fun."
Hermione looked at Ron leaving then said, "Wait! Ron! If...if we did kiss in front of everyone...how much would you win?" she asked.
A grin lit up Rons face but he quickly hid it as he turned around, "Oh at least 30 galleons." he said casually, "I'd be willing to split it with you but well...like I said I can't see it happening."
Hermione looked at Harry, "I could use the extra money." she said grinning at him.
Harry blushed, "Er...well...I guess...I mean..." he sighed, "Alright...fine."
Hermione jumped up and hugged him, "Okay now how to make it look like we don't know."
Ron walked back through the door and shut it, "I think I can help you out there."
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Mou....alright that's chapter 3!
Alright! It'd be a big help if you could let me know what you think with a nice REVIEW *hint hint*thanks to everyone!
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