Title: The Aftermath
Disclaimer: All familiar characters and events are from JK Rowling and the only thing I own is the plot… Don't sue me or anything I don't get anything from this except maybe reviews. Sorry to keep you guys waiting
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CHAPTER 14: Unexpected Things Happen
"Harry."
He heard someone call from behind him. It was Cho Chang still in her Quidditch robes. She apparently didn't do much during their try-outs.
Harry turned around and was face to face with her.
"I've been meaning to talk to you. Oh before I forget congratulations on making it as captain," she beamed and kissed his cheek.
Harry didn't know how to react. If this happened last year he would probably have that lurch feeling in his stomach but the situation was totally different now. "Uhmm…thanks, I guess," he replied.
"Harry, I hope we can start all over again. I know we had a very rough first year but I promise I'll make it up to you," Cho said nervously.
Harry couldn't believe what she was saying. She wanted to make up to him. "Aren't you dating someone else already?" he asked.
"Michael is nice but I couldn't stop thinking about you and after all the things that happened last June," she said as she batted her eyelashes seductively but Harry honestly couldn't care less.
"So you want us to see each other again?" Harry as if he was a kindergarten student eager to avoid a teacher from making him recite the alphabet.
"Yes, I'd love to go out with you. I promise I won't be jealous of Granger ever again," Cho beamed with excitement.
Harry's mind was racing he didn't ask her out and he had no intentions of dating her again in the first place. The problem was he didn't know how to tell her without making her like one of the broken faucets in Mourning Myrtle's bath.
"I'll see you on the first Hogsmeade Weekend. Oh, we'll be seeing each other in the DA. I can't wait," she said then giggled.
Harry just smiled meekly. He started to ask himself what he had done wrong to put himself in the most unlikely position. He was worried about what Hermione would think of him.
"See you later Harry," she said before she went up to the entrance of the castle where Marietta the blubber mouth was waiting.
Harry paced slower back inside the castle he had no intentions of walking inside with Cho.
He finally made it to the Gryffindor tower. He still didn't know how to tell Hermione about him getting caught in a very unlikely compromise.
He met Ron in the common room instead. His best friend was in a fairly good mood.
"Hi! Harry I just wanted to congratulate you. I know I've been much of a prat at the tryouts," Ron greeted him.
"Thanks I guess," Harry said slightly confused with the sudden change.
"Do you want to ask me why I'm in a fairly good mood even if I didn't make it as captain?" Ron started.
Harry sat next to him on the couch. "Since you mentioned it. Why are you so happy?" Harry asked his best friend.
"It's Hermione," Ron exclaimed a brilliant smile shown on his face.
"What about her?" Harry's curiosity grew.
"Well, you know how I was in really bad mood a while back. She went to meet me and you know, try to make me feel better," Ron relayed.
"Okay, so what happened?" Harry asked him to continue.
"We talked a little and I told her that I wasn't feeling right. She asked me if there was anything she can do to make me feel better," Ron said.
"And what did you tell her?" Harry enquired his curiosity going double time.
"I told her that if she'll go to the Hogsmeade weekend with me I'd feel a lot better," Ron exclaimed.
"Don't tell me she said yes," Harry asked. He couldn't believe what Ron just did.
"Yes, she actually accepted my invitation. I have a feeling she was just sorry for me but hey, an opportunity like that happens only once," Ron said happily.
"Err… do you know where she is right now?" Harry asked.
"She's in the library as usual," Ron said. "Don't you want to join me in my little celebration. I got some Chocolate frogs here. Ginny gave me some so I'd feel better." He got a hand full from his pocket.
"No, thanks I have to talk to Hermione about something," Harry said hurriedly.
"Okay, Harry. See you at the DA tonight," Ron called after him.
First, Cho thought he wanted to go out with her again and now Hermione said yes to Ron. Harry's mind was racing what had he done to deserve all these trouble. Did being captain had to give that much of a toll on him. The thought of Ron and Hermione sitting close to each other in the three broomsticks was hunting him. He took all the possible shortcuts he can find to get to the library not to mention jumping off from a moving staircase just to get to the right floor. All he wanted to do was to talk to Hermione.
He finally reached the library. He tried to dash inside trying very hard not to get noticed by Madam Pince who was busy stacking books back in their rightful shelves.
He went around looking at all the people in the library then he remembered the place where he and Hermione would spend their time together during their fourth year when Ron was upset with him.
He went to the area almost close to the restricted section. He spotted Hermione behind a big pile of books. When he came closer he was surprised with the titles of the books he saw, Quidditch Tactics 101, Best Quidditch plays of the Century, Famous Quidditch Athletes and there Key Techniques just to name a few. He had never seen Hermione that interested in Quidditch before.
"I thought I'd see you here. What are all these Quidditch books about? Don't tell me you're trying out for the team? We already have new players," Harry commented as he plopped next to her.
Hermione was busy scribbling in a long piece or parchment. She put down her quill and looked at Harry.
"So what are these for?" he asked again.
"What do you think? I'm trying to help you. Ron is right as captain you have to know all the possible plays. You have to device some plan to make sure that the team wins," Hermione said. She was rather aloof which Harry noticed instantly. She started writing again.
"Err… thanks but I really think you shouldn't have. I know you have a lot of studying to do. I don't want to burden you with Quidditch," Harry said.
Hermione looked at him. "So I can't help my best friend anymore. Is that what you and Cho had agreed on?" Hermione blurted.
He didn't expect her to know about his meeting with Cho. "We never agreed on anything," he countered.
"Well, I heard you two are dating again. So I'm really happy for you. But can I at least help you with school work and even Quidditch?" Hermione said she still had that serious look on her face.
"You know I wouldn't have survived all the past school terms without you so why would I want you to stop being my study mate. Well, you are a bit of a slave driver but hey, I like you that way," Harry said.
A slight tinge of pink showed on Hermione's cheek but she kept her face on what she was writing.
"Err… can I ask you something?" Harry started. "Ron told me you guys where going out on our Hogsmeade weekend?"
Hermione look at him. "Don't we always go to Hogsmeade weekends together? I don't see anything wrong with going with Ron? I was hoping you would be coming with us but since you already have a compromise I guess it would just have to be Ron and me," she said plainly.
Harry finally understood. Hermione must have thought it was a simple friendly invitation. Harry wished that Cho hadn't come up to him earlier. "How did you find out about Cho?" he asked.
"This is the library. A lot of Ravenclaws stay here mostly to read but some to gossip. I couldn't help but over hear Cho and his best friend chatting with the other seventh year Ravenclaw and I can't be easily spotted here," she vaguely replied.
"I'll finish this in the dormitories and hand it to you tomorrow. See you later at the DA," Hermione said. She got up got the stack of books and stuffed them in her bag. She also got her quill, inkbottles and parchment inside. "Bye Harry."
Harry couldn't believe that Hermione just left him there. He couldn't believe that she was acting as if he was just another acquaintance.
"You know she was humming a happy tune when she got here," Harry heard someone come out from behind him.
He turned around and saw Luna Lovegood. "She asked for all those Quidditch books. Ginny told me Hermione was pretty excited about your making it as captain," Luna took the seat across from Harry.
"Where you spying on Hermione?" he asked the blond Ravenclaw.
"Of course not. I was there checking the bookshelves when she stopped humming. I saw Chang and her friends giggling like mad. I was actually surprised your friend didn't call Madam Pince's attention. Then I heard what my housemates were talking about. Didn't hear her hum a tune again," Luna said.
"So what are you trying to say?" Harry asked Luna.
She just smiled at him. "You know she doesn't like Ronald. I just hope she would break it to him gently. He is a great guy. And she doesn't like the idea of you and Chang dating again," she said dreamily.
"Why do you know all these things?" he asked her.
"I'm in Ravenclaw. I may be obscure to some but I am very keen about things that concern my interest," Luna answered.
"So who in particular holds your best interest?" he asked not exactly expecting her to reply.
She once again had a dreamy look on her face and a vague smile then walked off singing Weasley is our king.
'She's really very weird,' Harry thought. 'But what does she mean by Hermione not wanting me to date Cho? Is Hermione jealous?'
Harry went back to their common room. He saw Dean and Ginny talking near the Gryffindor fire. Parvati and Lavender gossiping in a corner. Colin and Dennis animatedly talking about the tryouts that morning and Ron and Seamus were playing chess on one corner. He went up to their dormitory and found Neville reading his potions book.
"What are you doing up here?" Harry asked.
"I borrowed books from Hermione. I want to make sure that I get everything right on our Potions class. I hate the idea of Snape kicking me out of our class," Neville answered. Harry went and sat down on his bed.
"You know I think you're pretty determined about being a Healer so you won't fail," Harry said.
"I hope you're right," Neville smiled. "What are we doing on the DA tonight?"
"Well, I have no idea but teachers would be facilitating our meeting. We're actually official," Harry said.
"So don't I have any assignments for tonight?" Neville asked.
"Huh? What assignment?" Harry asked a bit confused.
"You know. Are there any pranks we can use tonight?" Neville said softly.
"Oh, that. Well, I think we should let them be for the mean time but when any of their lot makes any wrong moves. I'll make sure that a special prank will come their way," Harry grinned mischievously and so did Neville.
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Harry and Ron went to the third floor where their schedule said the DA would meet. Waiting outside were Neville, Ginny and Luna with Hermione, Padma and Terry.
"You guys are here early?" Ron said as they joined them.
"Let's say we're pretty excited," Ginny joked.
Ron and Harry actually talked a lot about Quidditch after he talked to Neville. He was actually glad that Ron had gotten over his being captain.
"I guess, you won't be too hard on us to practice since we have the DA," Ginny said.
"Who said anything about not practicing hard. We have to win this year. I hope majority of the Gryffindor team would make it to the Hogwarts team.
"Fat chance Potter," Draco said as he arrived with Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson. There were two other younger Slytherins with them.
"You think you can win over us. I doubt it if you can make it as second," Ron said.
"Who asked your opinion Weasley? What you have to say doesn't matter to me. You didn't even make it as captain," Draco sniggered. The other Slytherins laughed.
Harry and Ron wanted to advance on Draco but Hermione stopped them.
"He's not worth it," she said as she each placed a hand over Ron and Harry's shoulder.
"Oh, I'm not good enough, Granger? I heard Potter got back with Chang. I guess you're just for a short time fling," Draco smirked. Pansy was laughing extra hard.
"Take that back or you'll pay," Ron said with his wand out.
"Oh, you really like leftovers, don't you?" Draco commented.
"I've heard enough. Don't you talk badly about my friends! You aren't even worth half as they are. One false move Draco and I'll send you where you belong like your dad," Harry retorted.
Members of the DA where behind him, Ron and Hermione on either sides, Harry was ready for anything, Draco not having his cronies with him was putting up a brave face.
The other DA members, Tonks and Remus arrived in time.
"What is the meaning of this?" Remus asked.
"Break it up, break it up," Tonks said. Her hair was a combination of blue and green.
Draco and Harry were separated by the crowd of DA members but were still giving hot glares to one another.
"We'll just wait for Professor Dumbledore and Moody before we enter inside."
"Are you alright Harry?" Hermione asked from beside Harry.
He smiled weakly and said yes. She returned back a smile. Harry felt a little better.
He noticed Cho without Marietta. She went from across the other DA members and went her way next to him.
"Where is your friend?" Harry asked.
"She wasn't offered Advance DA," she answered with a brilliant smile. "I hope you weren't getting into any trouble," Cho said with her girly concerned voice.
Harry saw Hermione rolling her eyes while she was quietly talking to Ginny.
"I'm not," Harry said. 'But I'm sure as hell getting in trouble with Hermione if you don't keep yourself away from me,' he thought.
"Why are there Slytherins here professor?" he heard Zacharias Smith ask Remus from behind them.
"Everyone should be given the opportunity to train. We all need to defend ourselves," Remus reasoned.
"They don't need to defend themselves if they're the one doing the assault," Ernie Macmillan said.
"Some may have Death Eaters for parents but that doesn't make them death eaters themselves," Tonks tried to reason to the crowding DA members.
"We're not sure about that some may have the Dark Mark hidden somewhere. We don't know if Death Eaters have age criteria," Susan Bones said.
The Slytherins were now on the furthest corner. They may all seem thug like but with the DA was a more experienced group. Draco of all people should know. Harry remembered what Ron said about Ginny sending a flying bogie hex on the blond Slytherin.
"Listen everyone. Professors Tonks and Lupin are right. We do not like the exceptions that death eaters have as their idealism. Only purebloods, that's what they want. Now, we can't have the same type of prejudice ideals. We can't exclude the Slytherins just because some of their parents are death eaters. Remember what the sorting hat said last year we have to unite or Hogwarts will definitely fall apart. I don't like the Slytherins, you all know that but if Professor Dumbledore thinks it is wise to have them here with us then we just have to trust the headmaster on this. There is no way that he'd want any of us in trouble," Hermione said. Everyone quietly listened to her.
"Thank you very much Ms. Granger," Tonks smiled thankfully at her.
Harry really didn't like the idea of the Slytherins training with them but what Hermione said made sense to him. 'She is my guardian after all. She's bound to know what's right,' he thought to himself.
"I still think those Slytherins shouldn't be here," he heard Cho whisper to him. He felt her warm breath against his ear. He saw Michael Corner glaring at him.
"I'm going to talk to Hermione and Ron if you don't mind," Harry said before joining his friends.
"She's all over you mate," Ron joked.
"I surely don't want her following me around. It's weird," Harry said.
"She surely wants to hang around you a lot," Hermione said. "You know she wasn't that clingy to Cedric. I wonder what got into her lately. She must really like you."
"But I don't like her that way, at least not anymore. I already have a lot to think about. I don't have time for a girlfriend. I already have all I need-"
Professor Dumbledore and Alastor Moody arrived. Everyone hushed up as the two made their way to the door. Everyone quietly entered the room. When all of them were inside including the Slytherins the headmaster closed the door and tapped it with his wand three times.
The headmaster faced the crowd of DA members and few new students including the Slytherins.
"Good evening to all of you. Welcome to your Advance Defense Against the Dark Arts Class. This class is given only to selected students," the Headmaster started.
Draco had a smug look on his face.
"However before undergoing the course of training that will enable you to defend yourselves against the worst of curses and spells you will under go an exam," Dumbledore said.
The crowd were a mixed up of violent reactions and murmurs. Only Hermione seemed delighted with the idea of an exam.
"Silence, everyone," the headmaster spoke and everyone did just that. "The exam I am talking about is not the usual type of exam. It's an exam where your virtue will be magically analyzed to see if you are worthy to under go the said training."
The crowd murmured excitedly.
"I'm sure Malfoy wouldn't make it. He's a whole rotten lot," Ron whispered to Harry.
"I'd actually want to see how he'll do," Harry whispered back.
"Professor, should we take the exam too? We are already members of the DA," Hannah Abbot asked.
"I think it is just right that all of you should take the exam," Dumbledore answered. "I believe only two will be exempted," he continued.
"Potter, Granger please come forward," Moody called them.
Both Harry and Hermione were surprised.
To be continued…
A/N: I'm evil, aren't I? I hate to leave you with a cliffy but that's all for now. R/R sorry for the errors.. I didn't have much time to edit. My bad.