Chapter 2: Corridors, Empty Classrooms, Study Rooms and Common Rooms
Ron tapped his foot and leaned against the wall outside of the Ancient Runes classroom where he and Harry were waiting for Hermione. Harry had been in a foul mood all day biting off people's heads for the slightest infraction or disturbance. He'd told off a group of fifth year Hufflepuff girls for giggling in the corridors and he'd threatened to turn Draco Malfoy back into a ferret after the two had their usual pre-breakfast row. Malfoy had made a rather nasty remark to Harry about his love of mudbloods. Harry had responded by threatening Malfoy with ferret-dom then whipping out his wand to make good on his threats. And although Ron would have dearly loved to see Malfoy scampering about as a ferret again he'd stopped Harry, the look of terror on Malfoy's face had been enough to make Ron's morning.
Ron chanced a glance at his best mate of seven years. His head was bowed as he searched for something in his schoolbag, his messy black curtain of hair swathed his face obscuring it from view. With a sweep of his hand Harry brushed back his dark locks revealing a look of annoyance covering his face. Actually Harry had been in his present mood for several days. That same annoyed expression had been etched on his face for the past three days…since Hermione had taken him to task about what he had done to Parker Wesley in the library study room. Not that she had been per se upset that he had hexed Parker; from what Lavender, Pavrati and Ginny had told Ron later Hermione was a step away from doing that very thing to him herself. No it was not what Harry had done but the means by which he had done them that had Hermione so upset. Hermione considered Harry's little exhibition of his magical abilities to have been extremely dangerous. As they were not entirely sure who was fighting against You-Know-Who and who wasn't Hermione felt that Harry's allowing his temper to get the better of him could have given You-Know-Who an idea of what possible weapons Harry had in his arsenal therefore making You-Know-Who more treacherous to Harry in the future. Not to mention the fact that Hermione felt that Harry could have gotten himself expelled for attacking a fellow student. Thankfully the only people to have witnessed the incident were all Gryffindors and as Parker was no doubt too embarrassed to tell anyone what Harry had done to him, Harry had easily avoided any punishment that he might otherwise have received.
Following reading Harry the riot act about his foolhardiness in regards to his own safety Hermione had laid into both Harry and Ron about their over protectiveness of late. Hermione had informed them both that they had to stop their incessant coddling of her and their threats of anyone who approached her. While assuring them that she appreciated the obvious affection they felt for her she also informed them that she was more than capable of taking care of herself and to back off. Harry had of course defended his actions vigorously, reminding her of the many times she'd raged to both he and Ron about how she hated to be objectified as well as how she detested Parker and his disgustingly lascivious behavior. Harry went on to say that he'd only done what he thought a proper friend should have done to protect another but that if she'd rather be pawed and objectified who was he to stand in her way.
And so Harry had reluctantly agreed to be on his best behavior from then on and the two had scarcely spoken two words to each other since; a quite unusual occurrence as the two never rowed and when they did disagree it never lasted more than an hour or so. Because of the prolonged amount of time that he and Hermione weren't speaking to each other Harry had gone into a silent rage in which he walked around the castle upbraiding any and everyone that annoyed him the tiniest bit. His tetchy behavior was causing everyone else in the castle to walk around him on tenterhooks for fear of being hexed or worse. As his behavior was slowly but surely beginning to remind Ron of Filch's behavior during their second year when he had been separated from his beloved Mrs. Norris Ron had suggested very carefully mind you that Harry try talking things out with Hermione to put everything back on an even keel. Now Harry stood with Ron outside Hermione's Ancient Runes class scowling while they waited for her to appear. Harry had finally located whatever he had been searching for and raised his head just as the door to the classroom swung open and the students began to file out. Ron and Harry pushed themselves off the wall and craned their necks to watch for Hermione. Suddenly a voice called out and said.
"Hello Harry".
Harry and Ron turned around at the same time to see to whom the voice belonged. Their eyes settled on Serena Chambers; her long dark locks curled prettily about her face and her coal-black eyes seemed to sparkle as her perfectly bow shaped mouth curved into a sultry smile. Harry nodded his head in her direction as he mouthed a casual "Hello". Serena's robes were undone revealing a shorter than regulation mid-thigh length skirt and an extremely form-fitting jumper and blouse. Serena drew close to Harry and said.
"I haven't seen you around much lately".
Harry shrugged nonchalantly.
Serena pressed on.
"How've you been"?
Harry replied flatly.
"Alright…and you".
Hermione exited the room at the exact moment that Serena smiled and walking right up to Harry slipped both her hands into his drawing their bodies flush up against one another and pressed Harry's back into the wall as she continued their conversation at a low whisper in his ear.
"I've been hoping to catch you really…I have a favor I'd like to ask".
Harry responded in a lower than normal tone of voice as Serena rubbed her curvaceous body against his.
"And what would that be"?
Serena continued in that enticingly low whisper.
"Well I've been having a spot of trouble in Defense Against the Dark Arts and seeing as you're so good at it…running the DA and all…I thought you might be able to sort me out on a few things".
Serena had pressed her body completely against Harry's now and was running her hands through his unruly tresses. Harry responded.
"I suppose I could give you a hand".
Serena beamed up at him and said.
"I'm free tomorrow evening. Can you meet me in the Room of Requirement at seven"?
Harry inclined his head slowly.
"Alright…Room of Requirement…seven o'clock".
Serena whispered her thanks in Harry's ear and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth, just grazing his lips before stepping away from him and releasing his hands saying.
"I'll see you tomorrow night at seven".
Harry nodded as Serena sauntered off brushing past Hermione as she went. Ron watched Hermione's expression and saw the barely discernible, momentary look of annoyance that registered there; shaking her head she set her jaw rigidly and ground out.
"We best get a move on otherwise we'll be late for Potions".
That said she turned and stalked off towards the dungeons.
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By the time they reached Snape's dungeon Hermione was in a terrifically bad temper. She was deathly quiet and instead of sitting in her usual seat between Ron and Harry she opted to sit at the table with Lavender and Pavrati. Thankfully Snape was not setting them a potion to prepare that day. As an alternative he was introducing the next chapter of potions that they would be working on: Mind Altering Potions and Solutions. Presently Snape was droning on about something called the Scintillatus Solution; a highly advanced potion that when administered to an individual made said individual's mind more readily susceptible to ideas that they would have normally been adverse to. Ron was hardly paying attention, as he was engrossed in watching Harry shoot furtive glances across the room at Hermione who although she saw him perfectly well was pretending not to notice. The students spent the double period taking notes on the various plants used in the creation of mind-altering potions and at the end of the period Snape assigned yet another essay. This one was to be a minimum six-feet on the types of plants primarily used in mind-altering potions and it was to be handed in during the next class! Having just handed in one perfectly horrid essay the class responded less than enthusiastically. However, their groans were suppressed by Snape's declaration that if they preferred he would gladly double the minimum. Everyone wisely kept mum until they were dismissed. As the students filed out of the dungeon Lavender sidled up to Ron and said.
"We're headed to the library to get started on this essay want to come"?
The slight lilt in her voice and the twinkle in her eyes told Ron that the research she and Pavrati where planning had nothing to do with the Potions assignment they'd just been handed and everything to do with their little secret project. Ron cleared his throat and looking to his two best friends replied.
"Ummm…sure…Harry…Hermione…want to join us"?
Hermione shook her head.
"I have a meeting with Professor Vector and I need to be getting on otherwise I'll be late".
Without another word Hermione turned and hurried out the door. Harry watched her go and heaving a sigh replied.
"Sorry mate I've got Dark Arts Defense training…I'll catch you up later".
Harry turned and loped up the stairs. Ron turned to Lavender and Pavrati and said.
"Well let's go".
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Hermione was walking along the corridor to Professor Vector's office when all of a sudden she was forcibly grabbed about the waist and hauled into a nearby classroom where she found herself pressed into the wall just behind the now closed door by a very strong muscled male body. Instinctively she gripped her wand and was about to hex whomever had seized her when a familiar baritone washed over her ears.
"Hermione it's me".
Looking up Hermione found herself staring into Harry's emerald green eyes. Heaving a sigh of relief she released her grip on her wand and slipped it back into her robe pocket. It abruptly occurred to Hermione that Harry had nearly scared her witless with his caveman antics, quickly she raised her voice and ground out angrily.
"Harry what in the bloody name of Merlin are you doing…you nearly gave me a heart attack…honestly skulking about like some bloody Neanderthal snatching unsuspecting people into darkened rooms…what has gotten into you"!?
Harry frowned and replied.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to frighten you…I just wanted a word with you in private…so I took a shortcut I know to head you off".
Hermione rolled her eyes and said.
"A simple may I please have a word with you would have sufficed".
Harry stepped back and asked.
"And if I had would you have done as I asked"?
Hermione eyed Harry questioningly and asked.
"What do you mean would I have done as you asked"?
Harry stepped away from Hermione and responded snidely.
"Oh and I suppose I'm to pretend that you haven't been angry with me for the last three days".
Hermione exclaimed.
"What makes you think I'm angry at you"?
Harry gave a derisive snort and answered hotly.
"You've barely said two words to me in three days and today in Potions you sat with Lavender and Pavrati and not with me and Ron…and when I tried to ask you about it you ignored me"!!
Hermione quickly replied.
"I am not angry at you Harry. Yes I was a bit narked at you for your thoughtless behavior in the library the other day with Parker but you're the one whose been walking around in a snit for the past few days. Grunting at me every time I enter the room…threatening people with hexes and scowling all the time! Simply because I asked you and Ron to stop being so over protective. And I can sit with my other friends if I want…"
Harry interjected forcefully.
"And why did you ignore me when I tried to ask you about it"!?
Hermione replied.
"I was taking notes".
"So you didn't know I was trying to talk to you"?
Hermione averted her eyes and quickly said.
"You know how Snape is…he would have loved to take a round fifty points each off the pair of us and set us scouring out bedpans in hospital if he had caught us chatting in the middle of one of his lectures".
Harry responded skeptically.
"So your only reason for not answering me was fear of Snape's reprisals…"
Harry paused and trapped Hermione with a penetrating emerald green gaze and asked.
"Your actions had nothing to do with my little chat with Serena Chambers outside your Ancient Runes class"?
Hermione gazed unflinchingly back at Harry and answered his query with one of her own.
"And why would you chatting with Serena make me not speak to you"?
Harry considered his words carefully as he answered.
"Serena is not exactly your favorite person and her…ummm…er…little display in the hallway seemed to set you off".
"I assume you are referring to Serena draping herself all over your body like some sort of a cheap robe…though I indeed found it highly distasteful I certainly wouldn't stop speaking to you over it. I would think that if it bothered anyone it would be you".
The last words tumbled out of Hermione's mouth more acerbically than she had intended. Harry quirked an eyebrow and suppressing a grin at Hermione's tone of voice asked.
"And why would it bother me"?
Hermione clucked her tongue and replied.
"Honestly Harry she follows you around and throws herself at you every chance she gets…I thought that you preferred women who were more dignified and not so…so…gaggingly desperate".
"Gaggingly desperate…keep talking like that and folks will think you're jealous".
Hermione laughed.
"Oh ho…and why would I ever be jealous of a twit like Serena"?
Harry answered with a mocking grin.
"Well…she is smart and very, very pretty…I may be persuaded to take a liking to her…and if that happens…well as there is only room for one girl in this trio…I reckon I'd have to replace you".
A smile touched the corners of Hermione's lips.
"So I'm to be replaced am I"?
Harry shrugged his shoulders and said.
"Possibly".
Hermione nodded and replied.
"Oh I see so Serena is going to take my place…she's going to help you write all of your essays for every single one of your classes along with helping you find spells for and conduct DA meetings and assist you with your training for the final battle…"
She paused for effect. Then smiling mischievously she slipped her arms around his waist ran her delicate fingers up his spine and stopping midway she began kneading the muscles in the center of his back and added.
"I suppose she's going to give you back rubs after your Quidditch matches as well"?
Harry sucked in a breath of air threw back his head and groaned.
Hermione smiled and queried.
"Harry am I really so easy to replace".
Harry leaned his forehead against Hermione's and pressing her supple form into the wall with his own huskily answered back.
"I was only teasing and you bloody well know it. Nothing and no one could ever replace you in my life. I'm sorry I've been such a prat the last few days…forgive me"?
Hermione nodded.
"Of course I forgive you Harry. Do you forgive me for being an overbearing nag"?
Harry smiled a relieved smile as he replied.
"You're not a nag and as I can't stay angry at you for more than a second there's nothing to forgive".
Satisfied that order had been restored to their world Hermione removed her hands from Harry's back and said.
"I think you should be careful with Serena…"
Harry cut in.
"Hermione it's only a spot of tutoring…I'm just helping her with her Defense Against the Dark Arts".
Hermione sighed and continued.
"She's quite keen on you and considering that her feelings are not being reciprocated I think you would best serve the situation by leaving well enough alone".
Harry quizzed her by asking.
"Who's to say her feelings aren't being returned"?
Hermione retorted smartly.
"The Hero's Handbook…considering that she writes you notes and she is not locked up in some dark tower awaiting you and your galloping steed to come and rescue her she's off limits".
Harry rolled his eyes.
"Weren't you the one who suggested I throw the handbook out and enjoy myself a little"?
Hermione frowned and replied.
"I asked if you could make time for a girl you truly liked to which you informed me that Serena was not that girl".
Harry changed tactics.
"You don't like her very much do you? And because you don't like her you're trying to put me off her as well"
Hermione replied.
"She's not my favorite person no. Quite frankly I think she's a bit too obvious, but if you like her then by all means go out with her. I just don't think you should lead her on".
"Lead her on…how could a bit of tutoring lead her on"?
"Serena fancies you! In case you didn't know girls don't generally send perfumed notes to boys they only want to study with. She may think that your agreeing to help her is a sign you fancy her as well. And if that's not the case someone could get hurt".
Harry replied.
"I take it back you are a nag".
Hermione rolled her eyes and continued.
"I am simply saying that you shouldn't go out with her if you have designs on someone else".
Harry inquired.
"What makes you think I've got designs on someone else"?
Hermione averted her eyes and answered in a whisper.
"It just seemed to me that when we discussed all of this a few weeks back that someone else had caught your eye".
Harry replied with a simple "Oh" before he added.
"I thought perhaps there was something more to it".
An awkward moment of silence enveloped them before Hermione spoke.
"I have to go".
Harry nodded. Hermione smiled and raised herself on tiptoes and kissed Harry lightly on the cheek.
"I'll see you later back in the common room".
She ducked under his outstretched arm and strolled out of the room. Harry stood for a moment absently fingering the spot on his cheek that Hermione's lips had touched before he turned and strolled out the door.
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Ron sat surrounded by books in the study room he, Lavender, Pavrati, Dean, Seamus and Neville had commandeered. The six friends had been searching through what had to be every book on Potions the Hogwarts library held in search of a suitable love potion to use on Harry and Hermione. So far their combined efforts had turned up next to nothing, apparently the Hogwarts library didn't carry books on love potions. Ron spoke to the group at large.
"This is a sign".
Pavrati asked.
"What do you mean a sign…a sign of what"?
Ron rubbed his eyes wearily and responded.
"We've been at this for hours and we haven't found one single thing worth trying. It's a sign from Merlin to give up this wonky idea before something horrible happens"!
Seamus nodded in agreement.
"Ron's got a point. I mean we should have found something by now shouldn't we"?
Lavender calmly replied.
"We've already been through this…there is nothing wrong with this plan and this is not a sign from Merlin. Clearly we're looking in the wrong place for what we need. There has to be a potion that fits our specific requirements we just need to figure out where to look for it".
Before anyone could respond to Lavender's pronouncement Hermione's voice asked.
"Where to look for what…what are you lot up to"?
Startled the group cast worried glances around the table, the last thing they needed was for Hermione to find out about their little plan to get her and Harry together. Lavender was the only one not affected by Hermione's presence, she smiled as she responded to Hermione's question.
"Thank Merlin for you Hermione you're just the person we need. We've been trying to get a jump on Snape's essay and as we've run into a bit of a roadblock and we need a bit of direction".
Hermione took a seat and inquired.
"What exactly do you need help with"?
Lavender replied.
"Well we've been attempting to research some potions that affect the mind but we haven't been able to find anything specific…so I figure we're looking in the wrong place".
Hermione nodded.
"Mmhmm".
Having caught on to what Lavender was doing Pavrati added in.
"We also need a little clarification on what exactly constitutes a mind altering potion".
Hermione was nodding her head vigorously as she dug their potions text and her class notes out of her schoolbag. She consulted her notes briefly before whipping out her wand and muttering two quick spells. Instantly four of the books in front of them flipped open to pages concerning various types of potions, the other books flew off back to their respective shelves while a completely different set of texts came zooming towards them and dropped open on the table before them. The boys whispered in amazement.
"Bloody hell"!
"How'd you do that"?
"Blimey"!
"Have I told you recently how scary you are sometimes"?
Hermione ignored the shock being verbalized by the males at the table.
"Now then all mind altering potions fall into one of three categories…potions that create false emotions…potions that feed off of existing emotions…and potions that create false emotions and then heighten said emotions so that they can feed off the emotions. An example of the first group would be the Draught of Befuddlement…the Scintillatus Solution fits into the second group…and an example of the final group is the Elixir of Infinite Passion…"
For the next hour and a half Hermione explained the finer potions of mind-altering potions answering every question that Lavender and Pavrati asked her. Occasionally Ron, Dean, Seamus or Neville would ask a question following a sharp kick to the shin from one of the girls. By the time Hermione finished her impromptu discussion of the topic Lavender had a stack of notes in front of her and a bright smile on her face. Hermione packed away her potions text, her class notes and the notes she'd taken while skimming the books she'd found in the library. Once her things were safely tucked away Hermione looked around the table and asked.
"Did that clear things up a bit"?
Pavrati chorused gleefully.
"Hermione you are a genius"!!
Lavender added equally happily.
"You've sorted us out alright…we know just where to go from here".
Hermione smiled.
"Glad I could help".
She turned to the boys and asked.
"And what about you lot…did I manage to help you at all"?
Neville, Dean and Seamus nodded quickly and hurriedly mumbled a refrain of.
"Sure".
"That was loads of help".
"Thanks for sorting me out".
Hermione looked and Ron who had remained quiet and said.
"And what about you Ron…did that help you any at all"?
Ron blinked before answering in a measured grunt.
Hermione swung her schoolbag onto her shoulder and said.
"Well if you've got any other questions you can ask me later but right now I've got patrols…I'll see you guys later".
Hermione disappeared through the door and Lavender burst out excitedly.
"We've got to find Ginny and get to work as soon as possible because thanks to Hermione I've got the perfect solution to our problem".
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Ron arrived in the Great Hall the following morning to find Pavrati and Lavender animatedly talking with his sister Ginny, he guessed that the pair was filling Ginny in on what she had missed the day before. Following Hermione's unknowing assistance in helping move along their plot to pair her up with Harry, Lavender had informed the group that the best potion to use to accomplish their goals was the Scintillatus Solution. According to the reading they'd done the potion, which was not exactly a love potion, caused a person to act on feelings they had been attempting to hold back. Lavender felt it was perfect as that was what she believed Harry and Hermione were doing. Ron took a seat mumbled good morning to the table at large and began loading his plate with kippers, eggs and toast. The Gryffindors in the immediate vicinity, including his three cohorts replied in kind. Lavender looked over at him and said in a low undertone.
"Glad you made it to breakfast before Harry and Hermione…we wanted to fill you in on what we've sorted out so far…"
Lavender paused and Ron nodded to show that he'd heard her while he slathered marmalade on his toast. She picked up the thread of her thoughts and went on.
"We've been talking and as far as we can tell it'll take about three or four days to get the ingredients for the potion and then another week to make it…its lucky for us that the potion calls mostly for fresh plants. I reckon Neville can get most of it for us from Professor Sprout seeing as how he helps out in the greenhouses. The other ingredients are powdered and we have those in our own potions stores. What we didn't have I sent off for this morning by owl".
"Sent off for what by owl"?
Ron looked up and saw his three dorm mates taking seats. Dean had been the one asking the question. Lavender quickly filled them in on the progress she'd made concerning their little project so far. Neville agreed to get the fresh plants they needed and Lavender handed him a rather long list. Glancing at it Ron saw that it was much longer than the list of plants he remembered the book calling for.
"Hang on…that's more than what the text said isn't it"?
Lavender chewed her lip nervously before saying.
"Yes…well…I did some more research for alternative ingredients to use…in case we couldn't find something or wanted to make it differently…you know less potent than the one in the text".
Neville eyed the list and questioned her.
"And how do you know these substitutes will work"?
Pavrati supplied the answered.
"The same way we found out about the potion in the first place…we checked their uses with Hermione after she got in from her patrols last night".
Neville nodded and said.
"Oh alright then…I'll start collecting these today".
Lavender's smile returned.
"Good then we should be all set for now…"
She abruptly broke off what she was about to say and called out good morning as Hermione and Harry walked up to the table and took two seats beside Ron. Harry and Hermione exchanged good mornings with their friends and filled their plates. Silence reigned as everyone present concentrated on filling their stomachs in lue of talking. As Harry was taking a sip of pumpkin juice a voice called out good morning from behind him, he turned and saw Serena standing behind him.
"Hi Harry I just wanted to make sure you didn't forget about our meeting tonight".
Harry set his goblet down and answered.
"I haven't forgotten".
Serena smiled.
"Alright then I'll see you tonight at seven".
Harry replied.
"I'll be there".
As Harry turned his attention back to his breakfast Seamus asked.
"You've got a date with Serena Chambers"?
"Its not a date. I'm just helping her out with some Defense stuff that's giving her trouble".
Ginny chimed in.
"Well if it's not a date somebody should tell Serena cause I'm not to sure she knows it".
Hermione snorted into her napkin and Harry shot her an annoyed glance before answering Ginny.
"She knows what it is".
Ginny eyed him skeptically. Harry was about to say something else when Professor McGonagall strode up to the table and said.
"Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter I'll need to see the both of you once you've finished your breakfast…there are some changes we need to go over concerning your duties".
Hermione replied.
"We'll be along directly Professor".
McGonagall inclined her head and said.
"Very well I'll be waiting for you in my office".
She turned then and exited the Great Hall. Harry and Hermione bolted down the last of their breakfast and scuttled off after her. Once they were gone Pavrati pronounced.
"We've got to do something about Serena before she ruins everything"!
Dean uttered a perplexed "Huh" as Pavrati continued.
"If Harry starts up with Serena before we get a chance to make him admit how he feels about Hermione he'll just bury his feelings for her that much deeper"!
Lavender nodded in agreement.
"You're absolutely right".
Neville piped up.
"But Harry said he was just helping her, what's the harm in that"?
Lavender reasoned.
"Harry may not have any other intentions but Serena certainly does".
Ron cut in.
"I'll say she does. She was all over him yesterday…it's a wonder he could even move after the treatment she gave him".
Pavrati interjected in a huff.
"Trollop! Ron you've got to stop Harry from meeting her".
"Me…how in the name of Circe am I supposed to do that"?
Pavrati shook her head from side to side.
"You're his best mate surely you can think of a way to keep him away from that conniving wench until we've got this potion brewed".
Ron's eyes bulged in their sockets and his mouth flapped open in stunned disbelief. How in the name of all that was holy did they expect him to keep Harry away from Serena for two weeks. Seeing the expression on his face Ginny reached across the table and patted his hand reassuringly and with a glint in her eye worthy of Fred and George said.
"Don't worry Ron I've got an idea".
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Harry trudged through the portrait hole wet, bleary-eyed, tired and hungry. The only thing he wanted to do was climb into bed and sleep but considering that he had to write a six foot essay on mind altering potions for Snape by morning he reckoned sleep was not an option. The day had started off normal enough. He'd gone to breakfast and gotten through the whole of the day with no problems then he'd gone to Quidditch practice and everything had fallen apart. Ginny and Ron for some reason still unknown to him had been unable to grasp the simplest of moves during practice. Their performance was so bad that Harry had been tempted to call off practice as he had other places he needed to be but the Weasleys had insisted on sticking to until they got things right. Consequently, practice had run three quarters of an hour over and the entire team had gotten drenched in the torrential downpour that hit just as they started back to the castle. Harry had rushed up to his room and changed thinking he'd just catch the tail end of dinner before he set off to meet Serena at the Room of Requirement but Professor McGonagall had cornered him in the hall and informed him that several prefects had come down with a particularly virulent and unknown aliment that had them alternately vomiting, having chills and running insanely high fevers. Madame Pomfrey was stumped and as it was prefects that had been affected; it was suspected that the illness was some sort of deliberate retaliation, those remaining in good health would have to pull extra patrols, which meant the patrol free evening the Head Boy had wrangled for himself was now gone. That in and of itself would not have been so bad if he hadn't been paired with Filch all evening. He'd gotten soaked to the bone a second time after Peeves had locked him out on the Astronomy Tower while he was doing his last set of rounds. Harry expelled a breath as he made his way across the room, he was shocked by Hermione's voice.
"You should really get out of those wet things".
Harry looked over at the fireplace and saw Hermione sitting in one of the chairs that were reserved for their fireside chats in the main common room. Harry walked over to where she was sitting and said.
"Its after one in the morning what are you doing up"?
Hermione grinned as she waved her wand. A blast of warm air swept over Harry instantly drying his clothes.
"What does it look like I'm doing…I'm waiting up for you of course".
Hermione patted the chair next to hers and Harry gratefully dropped into it. She questioned him.
"Bad day"?
Harry grunted out his reply.
"Only thing missing was me going a round with Voldemort".
Hermione winced.
"That bad"?
Harry nodded.
"Worse…and seeing as I have yet to finish this bloody essay for Snape its not over yet".
Hermione asked.
"Have you started it yet"?
Harry sighed.
"Yeah but its only about two feet and I don't think its very good"?
Hermione patted Harry's leg and said.
"Well let me see what you've done so far…I'll look over it while you eat and see how much work we've got ahead of us".
Hermione inclined her head towards the table where a plate of roast chicken, runner beans, mash and steak and kidney pie sat waiting. Beside it was a jug of pumpkin juice and a huge slice of pumpkin pie covered in whipped cream. Harry looked over at Hermione and grinned broadly.
"What would I ever do without you"?
Hermione smiled and replied.
"Pray to Merlin you never have to find out. Go on and eat. I'll get started on that essay of yours".
Harry rose from his seat and planted an affectionate kiss on Hermione's cheek before taking a seat at the table and digging into the meal awaiting him. Hermione retrieved Harry's essay from his bag and taking the seat across from him set about reviewing his essay and making notes.
Ron and Ginny surveyed the scene and smiled conspiratorially at one another before quietly creeping up the stairs to their beds.
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