Dragons and Wands
‘Stop.’ Severus intones, laying a hand on Petra’s shoulder.
She raises her eyes to see Harry looking at her in concern, and realises that her hands are shaking and her neck and scalp are itchy and sweaty.
‘It’s just a map.’ He says.
Petra tries to smile, but doesn’t really have the energy.
‘I fear at this point you may only make things worse.’ Severus says. ‘No offence.’
Petra does not take it. He is right. She looks back down at the two halves of the map and sighs. They had been at this for an hour, trying to get the map to fast forward back to the present time, but even with Severus’ assistance with the arithmancy it is looking like an impossible task.
The footsteps which trace the movements of the castle’s inhabitants are all still there, and still moving, but in a jerky fashion, speeding up and slowing down at seemingly random intervals. To make it worse the two halves do not even seem to be in sync, and the time difference in between them difficult to discern.
‘Eventually it might catch up to the present.’ Petra says, peering at her own footsteps, and trying to remember what day she had visited the greenhouses.
‘We should each take half.’ Severus says. ‘Keep notes of when we see Crouch and where, as well as Moody, Karkaroff, and anyone else behaving suspiciously.
‘Here.’ Petra says, handing Harry the piece with Gryffindor tower on it.
‘Do not spend all day looking at it.’ Severus intones. ‘You have homework.’
‘Yes sir.’ Harry rolls his eyes, and Severus glares at him.
‘Sorry dad, alright.’ Harry sighs.
‘I have a meeting with a few of my students.’ Severus says, smoothing down Harry’s hair. ‘I’ll only be an hour, then we’ll discuss what to do about this.’ He says to Petra.
‘What to do?’ Harry frowns. ‘It must have been either Crouch or Karkaroff who put my name in…’
‘We don’t have enough evidence.’ Severus states. ‘And what we do have is hardly admissible.’
‘But we can tell Bagman, and Dumbledore, and… I don’t know, the Minister for Magic!’ Harry exclaims.
‘Tell them what, that based upon a feeling that you were in danger we determined that your name had been put in the cup on Thursday, and then proceeded to use restricted magic on an unregistered map, which is by the way now broken?’ Severus retorts.
‘Then what was the point of this?’ Harry huffs.
‘The point is that we know.’ Petra responds. ‘Or we at least have two solid suspects. We watch them both, see if they make any moves, and definitely don’t leave you alone with either of them.’
‘We can still pull you out at any time.’ Severus tells Harry. ‘Whatever happens we will deal with it.’
Harry nods, grateful for his parents support, and the fact that they always seem to know what to so. Even if that is a bit annoying sometimes.
‘I really have to go. See you later.’ Severus grabs his robe from the hook and exits to his office.
~~~~
Harry keeps an eye on his half of the map whenever he has a spare minute. Never in class though, as he parents had insisted firmly. Well, almost never. History really was very boring.
It is quite difficult to keep track of anyone what with it speeding up and slowing down all the time, but it is quite interesting to watch his past self wandering about the school. With a more objective perspective it is easier to observe the movements of others around him, and note anything odd. The problem is that quite a few people behave oddly around him, and a surprising amount of people look rather like they are following him at one point or another during the day.
Ron has almost approached him three times this week. At first Harry had thought that his friend (or was that ex-friend?) was avoiding him still, but then during lunch Harry had seen Ron’s feet come close, pause and turn away, then turn and approach again. At the same time however Neville and Luna had come up to him – they had arranged to have lunch in the courtyard together – and Ron had turned and practically run off.
Cedric had been hanging around a bit too – although Harry isn’t sure if that’s just his wishful thinking. He is beginning to admit to himself that he definitely fancies the Hufflepuff, and it’s a lot more terrifying than he would have thought, considering that his life is almost constantly under threat.
Professor Moody seems to spend an inordinate amount of time in his office, Karkaroff goes down to check on his ship every day, possibly early morning – and once late at night with Professor Sinistra, and Crouch is hanging about the school a lot more than he would have thought. In fact he has been close to Harry a few times, though he cannot recall having seen him much.
Harry writes all of his observations in a little notebook, along with any guesses about time and day when he sees certain people, but it isn’t very coherent.
Ron is convinced that his notebook is strategising for the tournament, and mutters under his breath about not being involved. As if Harry would want to involve him when he’s being such a moody git about it. Harry does his best to ignore him, and just hopes he gets bored with himself eventually.
~~~~
The divination classroom is stiflingly hot and sickeningly scented as per usual, and Harry is seriously considering asking if he can swap classes. His parents keep telling him that Ancient Runes isn’t as hard as it sounds, and though he doesn’t believe those two nerds for a second, anything’s got to better than this.
A noise at the back of the room has everyone turning around – they must all be desperate for a distraction – and Percy Weasley appears through the trap door.
‘Ah, William, I have been expecting you.’ Trelawny croons.
‘Er Bill’s my big brother…’ Percy mutters. ‘I’m Percy, and I’ve…’
‘Of course! The one who seeks the cup. You have a message from the beyond…’
‘Um just from Minister Crouch actually.’ Percy says, to some stifled snickering. ‘For Mr Potter.’
Trelawny peers at the boy, then waves her hands in a vague indication. Percy turns to Harry with a slight smile.
‘You are to come with me for the wand weighing.’ He states.
Ron mutters something about his brother being self important, while Harry wonders what on earth this is all about. He is about to ask, when he realises this is his chance to get out of Divination. He grabs his books and quickly follows Percy out of the room and down the ladder.
‘Um, what’s this about Percy?’ He asks as they make their way down the spiral staircase.
‘It’s for the Tri-Wiz.’ Percy responds. ‘All contestants are to have their wands assessed, and I believe there is a photographer from the Prophet.’
‘Oh.’ Harry’s heart plummets. ‘Um, are my parents there? It’s just they didn’t mention anything about this, and they’re supposed to be present…’
‘I don’t know, you’ll have to take that up with Minister Crouch.’ Percy tells him. ‘I was just told to fetch you. Through here.’ He leads the way to a disused classroom on the ground floor, then leaves.
The other champions are already in there, looking so cool and confident to Harry’s eyes. It’s a largish room, with high ceilings, and dark wood panelling half way up the walls, above which are three arched windows. In the corner is another small door, which is open just a crack. Crouch and Bagman are standing next to an old table under the windows, deep in conversation, and Harry stands to one side anxiously waiting for a chance to interrupt.
‘Minister Crouch sir.’ Harry says, as soon as the Minister turns in his direction.
‘Mr Potter. What is it?’
‘Well, er, my parents are supposed to be present for all Tri-Wizard activities sir.’ Harry responds, trying to sound equally polite but firm, whilst also not dying of embarrassment. Cedric is only a couple of meters away waiting with the other contestants. No parents in sight.
‘This is only the wand weighing Mr Potter. I hardly think any parental supervision is required do you?’ The man sighs.
There is a whispering noise which sounds like a muffled laugh, and Harry flushes with shame anyway.
‘Right sir, of course.’ Harry mumbles, then goes to stand with the others.
Cedric gives him a friendly smile and thankfully none of them make any comments to his face, though he can tell Krum and Delacour still aren’t happy he’s here.
A few minutes later the door opens again.
‘Ah excellent we can begin.’ Crouch says as an old man with grey hair, eager eyes and a soft smile walks over to them.
‘Uncle Oli!’ Harry can’t help but grin.
‘Hello Harry.’ Olivander smiles walking straight over to give him a pat on the arm. ‘Now however did you get yourself into this mess? I expect your mother had a few words to say.’
‘You can say that again.’ Harry huffs a laugh recalling the string of profanities that had flown from Petra’s mouth the night of the drawing of the champions.
‘We’ll start with Miss Delacour.’ Crouch interrupts.
Harry steps back, only now noticing the resentful looks being flashed at him. Right, of course, they all already thought he was a cheater, and now he is shown to have a personal relationship to the wandmaker too. Well it probably couldn’t get much worse at this point.
It could in fact, get worse. But in quite a different way.
Having inspected all the wands, talking about the woods and cores as he went, and checking them for any kinds of illegal enhancements and so on, Olivander is taken to one side to sign some documents. But just when Harry thought that it was over, and he would be free to return to class (even Divination was preferable to this) Crouch ushers two other people in.
‘Now, just for the interviews.’ He says with one of his stiff smiles.
Oh no.
Harry did not want to be interviewed for the newspaper under any circumstances, but he also recognises the “journalist” as none other that Rita Skeeter. The reporter who has already written at least three negative, overly dramatic, and borderline slanderous, pieces about his family.
‘No, I can’t…’ Harry tries to say. ‘My parents…’
‘Come now Mr Potter. It is simply a brief interview and a photo for the Prophet. Nothing to worry about.’ Crouch tries to assure him. ‘And your parents are in the middle of lessons, there’s no need to disturb them is there.’
Harry suddenly realises. They did this on purpose. Was that paranoid? Is was rather convenient though was it not, to ensure that Harry’s parents were not at hand when the reporter just happened to show up?
‘Come on Harry.’ Rita sidles up to him with a rather creepy smile. ‘I promise I don’t bite. Hard.’
Harry grimaces, but finds himself ushered towards a small side room. He scans the room hoping for some sort of help, but Cedric is having his photo taken, and Uncle Oli is now nowhere to be seen. Maybe he should just make a dash for it, but it would be quite difficult to get past Skeeter without having to physically push past her. He also considers whether he should use the charm to call his parents, but that also seems a bit of an over reaction.
By the time he has considered his options he is inside the room, and Skeeter has closed the door behind her. This is what you get for thinking before acting, Harry muses wryly. The space is about the same size as the tiny bathroom in Petra’s cottage, but minus the bath and toilet obviously. There are no windows, and just two plain wooden chairs. He feels more like he’s about to be interrogated as opposed to interviewed. Then Harry remembers something Sev had told him at some point; “whether it’s the aurors or a reporter, if in doubt keep your mouth shut. If you give them nothing then they have nothing to use against you.”
Harry had thought it a rather dramatic statement at the time, but he is beginning to see the wisdom in his father’s words.
‘Now. Harry Potter…’ Rita Skeeter practically simpers.
‘No comment.’ Harry blurts out.
Skeeter simply giggles.
‘I haven’t even asked you a question yet Harry. No need to be so nervous.’
~~~~
Petra is nearing the end of a particularly fractious third year charms class, when there is a knock on the door and it opens to reveal a familiar, but unexpected face.
‘Uncle Oli! What are you doing here?’ Petra queries.
There is a ripple of exclamations around the room and the students twists around in their seats, apparently thrilled by the amazing concept of someone coming through a door.
‘Olivander… the wandmaker…’ Some of them whisper.
Garrick doesn’t dilly dally on pleasantries, but hurries straight over, meeting Petra in the middle of the room.
‘Skeeter’s interviewing Harry right now.’ He tells her quickly.
Petra scowls, but doesn’t waste time asking how and where, they can deal with that on their way down there.
‘Essays on my desk.’ Petra instructs the class. ‘Harper please inform Professor Snape to meet me…’
‘In the Old Study.’ Olivander supplies.
‘Dismissed.’ Petra states as she sweeps from the room.
She follows her great great uncle down the stairs, as he explains on the way how he had been called in early to perform the wand weighing, after which he had seen Harry being cornered by the reporter.
‘I thought it best to come straight to find you. Didn’t think they’d pay much attention to me.’ Garrick explains.
‘I agree. You did the right thing. Thanks Oli. I’m glad you were there.’
Petra follows Olivander to one of the unoccupied classrooms on the ground floor. He wisely makes himself scarce as she crosses the threshold, storming towards the front where Crouch and Bagman are looking over some paperwork.
‘Where is my son?’ She demands, feeling a tingle of magic ripple out from her core right through to her finger tips.
Crouch mutters some weak excuse about interviews, but Petra has spotted the door in the far corner, recalling that this room had a little storage room attached. She waves her hand and the door bursts open.
Harry had been starting to sweat. It was not as easy as it sounded to keep answering “no comment” to every question. Skeeter certainly had a talent for asking the most provocative questions, and had Harry not been taught how to control his emotions he likely would have blurted out something by now. As it is, he is relieved when the door bursts open and Petra strides in with a face like thunder.
‘This interview is over.’ She growls, striding right up to the reporter with a menacing sneer, and eyes narrowed into a dagger like glare.
‘You will not talk to my son without my permission. You certainly will not corner him in darkened store rooms. If you so much as breathe within his presence I swear to Satan I will shove that quill so far up your arse you’ll be crying ink!’ Petra roars, advancing on the woman.
‘Is that a threat?’ Skeeter smirks even as she cowers backwards, her eyes flicking to the dicataquill which is still scribbling away.
Petra clicks her fingers and the whole pad, along with the quill burst into flames and are reduced to ash.
Rita gasps and begins some rant about freedom of the press.
‘Don’t make me laugh.’ Petra sneers at her. ‘Freedom of the press does not give you free reign to make up whatever nasty little lies you think will sell the most papers. Nor does it give you permission to interview minors without their parents permission. You are no journalist. You are an opportunistic charlatan with all the integrity of a pile of Hippogriff dung. And yes. You can quote me on that.’ And with that, Petra guides Harry out of the room.
‘You have already broken our agreement.’ Petra glares at Crouch and Bagman, who are staring at the “interview room” in stunned silence. ‘One of us must be present for anything involving the Tri-Wizard Tournament. That was the rule we agreed upon, at your suggestion, in order to accommodate the age discrepancy. If you cannot even stick to your own rules, how do you expect us to respect them?’ She demands, almost seeming to tower over the two men. In fact she is a little taller than Bagman, who appears at least somewhat contrite.
‘I apologise, someone was supposed to contact you.’ He cringes.
Crouch, however takes a more aggressive standpoint, seemingly unfazed by the magic which seems to be pooling around the elemental witch in the form of cold shadows and sparks of electricity.
‘Miss Blishwick, I would appreciate if you would calm down. This is a minor…’
‘It’s Professor Blishwick.’ Petra bites out. ‘And I would appreciate being able to speak to someone with a modicum of honour, but apparently we don’t always get what we want.’ Petra sneers.
‘Now, hold on there Professor,’ Crouch scowls back. ‘You are speaking to a Minister, you would do well to show some respect.’
‘I give respect where it is due. And only where it is due.’ Petra mutters back.
Crouch is turning the colour of a beetroot and is looking as though he might burst a blood vessel at any moment, when the door opens again.
‘Is there a problem here?’ Professor Snape intones.
With Ludo Bagman appeasing Crouch, and Severus smoothly backing up Petra, the confrontation is settled, and the family leave, disgruntled but having made their point.
‘I’d like to put Crouch’s name in the Goblet and see how it judges him.’ Petra mutters, as they walk away down the corridor.
‘I’m not sure your outburst will have done us a lot of favours.’ Severus says, though his face looks rather pleased, and more than a little proud.
‘You’d have done at least as much damage were you the first to arrive, and you know it.’ Petra retorts.
‘Yes, but you rather saved me the trouble.’ Severus smirks at her.
Harry is sent back to classes, but luckily Divination is finished, so he proceeds to Herbology. Neville gives him a wave, and Harry happily joins his friend at the bench.
~~~~
‘Fuck.’ Harry murmurs.
Severus Snape glances down at his son, a rebuke rising on his tongue. Then he looks back in front of them, and places a hand on Harry’s shoulder. On Harry’s other side, his mother has her arms crossed, and her lips are twisted into a pinched expression.
The three of them stand and observe the four caged dragons before them in silence for several minutes, each one lost in their own thoughts.
‘You’re not really supposed to be here you know.’ A familiar voice interrupts the family’s brooding. ‘We were all sworn to secrecy.’
‘Pfft. As if I wasn’t going to notice a bunch of dragons practically in my back garden.’ Petra drawls.
‘Well, yes, they are a bit difficult to hide.’ The young man responds. ‘Good to see you again by the way, Professor, sir.’ Charlie Weasley nods to his former Professors.
‘Hmm.’ Severus murmurs, not taking his eyes off the fire breathing beasts.
‘Hiya Harry.’ Charlie smiles. ‘I don’t know whether I’m supposed to congratulate you or commiserate you to be honest.’
‘Maybe you should just save it for my funeral.’ Harry mutters, looking quite pale.
‘There will be no funeral.’
‘You are NOT dying.’
Severus and Petra say at the same time, glaring at their son.
‘They are nesting mothers?’ Petra asks.
‘Er, I’m not supposed to tell you…’ Charlie grimaces. ‘But let’s just say I’m not telling you that they’re not nesting mothers?’
Petra squints at him.
‘On an entirely unrelated note.’ Severus turns to his former pupil now. ‘One of my students has developed an interest in dragons, and is most keen to learn more. She might even have an interest in working for the sanctuary herself one day.’ He says. ‘Might it be possible to arrange a visit? For purely educational purposes you understand?’ Severus raises a brow.
Petra keeps her mouth shut and hopes that Charlie will catch on.
‘Oh… Oh right, yes.’ Charlie nods. ‘Um certainly Professor Snape. I’m sure we can arrange that.’ He says, rather blatant and unsubtle, but it does the job.
‘Excellent. I will send a prefect to organise a suitable time with you.’
‘This is… well it’s pretty bad obviously.’ Petra says as they walk back down the path to her cottage. ‘But it could have been worse.’
‘Worse? How could it have been worse?’ Harry protests.
‘It could have been Manticores.’ Severus comments.
‘Dragons are dangerous, obviously, but they have been chosen because they look scary and impressive. But they are also large and cumbersome, and not often inclined to fight for no good reason.’ Petra explains.
Harry looks at her rather dubiously.
‘Come along Potter, this won’t be the first time you’ve dealt with a dragon.’ Severus taunts lightly.
‘Yeah. Ha ha.’ Harry mutters, but leans into the arm that comes around his shoulders.
‘If we can figure out what the task is going to be, we can devise an effective strategy.’ Petra continues. ‘We know what creature we are dealing with. The fact that they have brought nesting mothers in particular suggests that the task will involve the eggs somehow.’ She muses.
‘Miss Allen should be able to provide us with a good deal of information, and be our go between with Mr Weasley.’ Severus continues.
‘Oh! That’s what that was about.’ Harry realises.
‘Yes, she will jump at the chance to find out more about dragons, and I’m sure will thoroughly enjoy regaling us and anyone else who will listen with every fact she can find out.’ Severus confirms.
‘But isn’t that… I mean I don’t want to get Bridget in trouble or put her in any danger…’ Harry worries.
‘That will not happen.’ Severus assures him. ‘I do not put my students into any situation which they cannot handle.’
‘In addition we will have at least two contingencies.’ Petra states. ‘Firstly, if in doubt simply stay as far away from the fire breathing end as possible. Regardless of what the task is. It doesn’t matter if you fail at it completely, because our end game is not for you to win the competition.’
‘It is for you to come out of this alive and with all of your limbs intact.’ Severus puts in.
‘Exactly.’
‘And er… what’s the second contingency?’ Harry asks. He knows he shouldn’t feel embarrassed about the idea of failing the task, but he’s sort of hoping that the other contingency might not result in him looking like a complete loser.
Severus stops walking and turns to Harry, taking him firmly by both shoulders.
‘We will not allow any harm to come to you Harry.’ He states.
‘Even if that means breaking their stupid rules about no outside help.’ Petra continues.
‘What? No!’ Harry frowns, his voice agitated.
‘You think the two of us can’t handle a measly dragon?’ Severus drawls, arching a brow.
‘Er… no?’ Harry grimaces.
‘Whatever it takes Harry.’ Petra says, a breeze rippling around her, and a tingle like static electricity prickling the air.
‘We’ve killed a Basilisk, subdued a werewolf, and taken on a whole hoard of Dementors.’ Severus states. ‘This too we shall overcome. Together.’
‘Now, how about a pub lunch?’ Petra says. ‘I could do with a pint or three.’
‘In Hogsmeade?’ Harry asks, trying not to sound too keen.
‘Yes, if it won’t cramp your style too much to be seen with us.’ Severus comments.
‘No, not at all.’ Harry grins. It’s only half a lie, if that. ‘Would I maybe be able to meet up with Hermione for a little bit too? I’ll be careful.’
‘Not Weasley?’ Severus queries.
‘Oh, yeah, Ron too.’ Harry adds. Why exactly he doesn’t want to tell them about Ron’s current behaviour he isn’t sure. Maybe he just doesn’t want to get him in trouble. Ron’s bound to get over his mood soon right? And then everything will go back to normal, but it wont help things if he goes crying to his parents who then have a go at him. That would only make Ron even more upset.
Severus and Petra are both giving him a look, but neither of them say anything, and they head on to the Three Broomsticks.
~~
Harry is given half an hour in the end to go around the village, while his parents wait in the pub. He finds Hermione and Ron in the bookshop, where Ron suddenly pretends to be interested in a large atlas, then starts whispering things to Hermione from behind it.
‘Tell him yourself.’ Harry hears Hermione hiss back at something Ron has said, leading to another thread of whispers. Harry is beginning to wish he had stayed with his parents.
‘You know I’m standing right here.’ He snaps eventually.
Ron glances up and glares at him from behind the large book, while Hermione gives an exasperated sigh, and an apologetic look at Harry.
‘You know what Ron you are being a complete twat!’ Harry exclaims loudly, causing half the bookshop to turn and look at him in shock.
‘I can’t believe you got us thrown out of the bookshop!’ Hermione complains as they stand in the street.
Funnily enough though his outburst seems to have done the trick with Ron, as he is at least still standing there, and looking a little apologetic too.
‘I er… I was just going to say…’ Ron mutters. ‘That maybe you should go and see Hagrid. Might be helpful.’ He adds, looking down at the cobblestones.
‘Yeah I know about the dragons.’ Harry sighs. ‘Thanks anyway.’
‘Well great. Looks like you don’t need me at all then.’ Ron huffs, walking off.
‘Ron, wait!’ Harry calls out. ‘I appreciate… oh for Merlin’s sake.’ He grumbles as Ron disappears into the joke shop. ‘Well what was I supposed to do? Pretend I didn’t already know, and that he’d saved the day despite being a complete arse for the past two weeks?!’ Harry retorts at Hermione’s frown.
‘Harry you have to understand…’ She tries.
‘No, Hermione, I don’t.’ Harry cuts her off. ‘Sorry.’ He adds after a moment. ‘Didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s just… well everything.’
‘I know.’ Hermione smiles.
Harry is grateful that she sticks with him, and they also bump into Neville coming out of the plant shop carrying a large… well Harry’s sure he should know what it is. Some sort of fern he thinks. His half hour is almost up, and Harry is wondering how long he can stretch it out for before his parents come looking for him, and whether an extra fifteen minutes is worth the embarrassment of being accosted by them in the middle of the high street, when they bump into Cedric.
Well not so much bump into, as pass by outside the Quidditch shop. The Hufflepuff champion is surrounded by quite a crowd of friends and admirers, but he spots Harry and gives him a friendly wave. Unfortunately most of the rest of the group do not appear so pleased to see him, and Harry receives a number of glares and muttered comments. Cedric says something to the group, then jogs over to catch up with Harry.
‘Sorry about that lot.’ Cedric smiles, and Harry can feel a blush working up his neck already.
‘That’s alright.’ Harry replies, trying not to grin like an idiot. ‘Er, you’ve met Hermione, and this is Neville.’ Harry introduces his friends, suddenly at a complete loss for how to make conversation.
‘Hi.’ Cedric nods at them, not seeming very interested. ‘Nice Aslenium Trichomanes.’ He adds, glancing at Neville’s plant before turning back to Harry. ‘So I just wanted to say that you have my support, no matter what anyone else thinks.’ He says, one hand touching Harry’s arm briefly.
‘Thanks Cedric, that means a lot.’ Harry manages to get out without tripping over his words.
Cedric smiles again and turns to go.
‘Wait, Cedric!’ Harry calls out. ‘Um… over here…’ He nods to the alleyway next to them, and shuffles into the shadows.
Cedric follows him, his smile gentler, a bit cautious maybe.
‘Harry…’ He says quietly, stepping a little closer.
‘It’s dragons.’ Harry blurts out.
‘What?’ Cedric’s brow wrinkles curiously.
‘Um, the first task.’ Harry explains. ‘They’ve got four dragons out in the woods. I don’t know what we’ll be doing, but I don’t suppose it involves feeding them afternoon tea.’
Cedric chuckles.
‘No I don’t suppose so.’ He says. ‘Unless we’re afternoon tea!’ He jokes, and Harry laughs nervously too.
‘Yeah.’
They just stand there for a moment, and Harry is very aware of how close they are in the narrow space. He also cannot stop looking at Cedric’s eyes. They are a beautiful pale grey, and a lock of his chestnut coloured hair falls across one of them.
‘Well, I’d better get back.’ Cedric says after a long moment.
‘Oh, yeah, me too.’ Harry mumbles.
‘See you later Harry.’ Cedric smiles, almost shyly, and… is he blushing? His eyes stay on Harry as he turns to leave, and he runs a hand through his perfectly tousled hair. ‘Oh and Harry…’ He adds.
‘Yeah!’ Harry says a little too eagerly.
‘Thanks.’ Cedric smirks, then exits the alley and jogs back to his friends.
Hermione’s face when Harry emerges from the alley is quite the picture.
‘What?’ Harry tries to ask nonchalantly at her open mouth.
Neville is half hiding behind his plant, and appears to be inspecting one of the leaves.
‘I thought you were going to snog him for a moment then.’ Hermione says. ‘Oh, shit sorry…’ She glances at Neville, who is still pretending he hasn’t a clue what’s going on.
‘No, I was just…’ Harry starts. ‘Really?’
‘He definitely looked like he wanted to snog you.’ Hermione says with wide eyes and a cheeky smile.
Harry blushes, and glances back at where Cedric is chatting away with his friends again.
‘So, do you like boys then?’ Neville asks from behind his fern. ‘Sorry, if that’s ok to ask?’ He adds nervously.
‘That’s alright Neville.’ Harry says, feeling surprisingly comfortable about telling the shy boy. ‘Yeah, I do.’ He nods. ‘Girls too, I think.’
‘Oh.’ Neville says, blushing a little. ‘I er… I do too…’ He almost whispers, still fiddling with a leaf.
‘Oh, that’s great Neville. Thanks for telling me.’ Harry smiles back. ‘Oh no…’ He adds, glancing up to see his parents across the street.
Petra is smirking slightly, and Severus has one of his brows arched sharply.
‘Looks like it’s time for me to go.’ Harry cringes. ‘We’ll talk later Neville yeah?’
Neville nods, looking actually quite relieved, and Harry says bye to him and Hermione, before hurrying over to his parents.
‘I was… we were… that wasn’t what it looked like.’ Harry trips over his words.
‘Oh, shame.’ Petra shrugs. ‘I hear Cedric Diggory is considered to be rather attractive.’
Harry endures a light bit of teasing from his parents, along with a few words of caution.
‘He is a little older than you.’ Severus says. ‘He may be ready for things that you are not. However, he is not a terrible choice I suppose.’
Harry brushes his hair into his face and groans in embarrassment, then makes his escape at the earliest opportunity.
~~~~~