chapter 3
Harry stood in front of the mirror attempting to tie his bow tie. Theo sat on the bed, holding a stuffed bear in front of Teddy trying to make him laugh, and Hermione stood against the wall.
"Do you really have to take her?" Hermione questioned, a little bit of venom in her tone at the thought of the other girl. Harry rolled his eyes. After four years, one would think that his sister would get over her petty hatred for his ex-girlfriend.
"I don't mind her," stated Theo, "I think she's kind of nice. She's never been mean to me, and when she walked in on Harry and I cuddled in bed, she didn't blow the house up."
Harry chuckled, "Oh c'mon, 'Mione. It's been four years, we're adults now. Can't you just pretend to like her? For my sake?" Hermione huffed but nodded her head reluctantly, "Fine. But only for you and Theo and Teddy. Does she even know about him, by the way?" Theo looked at Hermione and shook his head, answering the question for Harry.
"No one can know, we agreed to keep Teddy's existence a secret, remember?" Theo dejected. Of course, not even Harry's whatever-you-call-her can know. No one can.
Their conversation was cut short by the sound of someone exiting the Floo. "MASTER FRED, MASTER GEORGE, BE CAREFUL. MASTERS ARE GOING TO INJURE THEMSELVES!!" Kreacher shouted.
The trio shared a look, Harry sighed and went to scoop up Teddy before making his way downstairs. "Just one day, one day without upsetting Kreacher, guys. That's all I ask," Harry scolded the red headed twins.
"But Harry, where's—" Fred started.
"The fun in that?" George finished.
Hermione huffed, walking towards them with arms raised. The twins flinched before realizing she only leaning in for a hug. "One day of 'Mione not abusing us is all we ask for," Fred grumbled as Hermione smacked the back of his head.
Theo laughed and walked up next to Hermione to pull the twins in for a hug, "Don't give anyone heart attacks, and maybe you won't get beaten to a pulp."
Harry shook his head at the group, "Okay, we're going to head out soon. Hopefully this is the last Ministry party we attend this year. He's been fed and changed, but he'll need a bath in about two hours. Ask Kreacher to make his bottle when it's time; I don't trust the two of you to do it properly. And please, do not keep him up until we get home. Let the poor babe sleep."
Fred and George shared a look before saluting Harry, "Got it mate! He'll be fine. It's not our first time." Hermione shot George a look as she walked closer to her nephew and placed a kiss on his head. Theo followed behind her and did the same before Harry kissed Teddy's forehead and handed him over to the mischief twins.
'It's going to be a long night,' Hermione thought.
△⃒⃘
"Harry! She's late! We have to walk through those doors in three minutes!" Hermione whisper yelled. The trio stood outside of the entrance of the Ministry party, waiting for Harry's date to arrive. They were hidden behind the pillar so they wouldn't attract the attention of the press.
"You know her, she's got to make an entrance," Harry huffed back. It's true, anytime Harry asked her out or if they had somewhere to be, the girl was always late. Something about making a grand entrance.
"I blame the Slytherin in me, but that'd just be a lie," a soft voice said from behind them. Harry turned around and smiled, "Ria!" Harry pulled the brunette into his arms and placed a miss on her cheek.
Astoria Greengrass. Harry Potter's on and off girlfriend since fourth year. They were definitely the pair. No one could ever tell if the two were actually together, or if they just strung everyone along. Only Harry and Astoria knew the truth of their feelings. But it was fun to confuse not only the Daily Prophet, but Astoria and Harry's families as well.
During their fourth year, Harry's secret relationship had taken a turn for the worst. His recent ex-boyfriend decided to take someone else to the Yule Ball; a girl, instead of Harry like they had agreed. And Harry was left with no other choice other than Padma Patil.
To say that their night ended in a disaster, is an understatement. He was too invested in his own self-wallowing that he didn't give Padma any kind of attention. They got into a screaming match in the middle of the ball that resulted in Harry storming out.
While he was walking in the hall, he heard someone crying. Being the Gryffindor that he is, he set off in the direction of the broken sobs. That's when he found none other than Astoria Greengrass sitting on a set of steps with her head in her hands.
Apparently, Astoria had gone to the Yule Ball with Justin Finch-Fletchley, and they too had a match. Astoria wanted to dance, but Justin was too invested in checking out other girls rather than giving his girlfriend attention.
Harry felt for the girl and sat down next to her. It took a bit, but eventually he convinced her to calm down and they had a nice conversation. That conversation turned into many days of sneaking around their friends to meet in broom closets and behind pillars to talk and laugh.
A month into their friendship, Harry decided to take the next step and kissed Astoria. Rumors spread of their Romeo-Juliet love story. 'The lion fell in love with the snake', but the pair never confirmed their relationship.
They spent the next four years in an off and on fling. Their friendship was too important to them so they decided to just stay as they were; best friends. But they didn't feel the need to discuss their private lives with anyone else. They left the world in the dark on their status and just enjoyed the look of confusion on their peers faces.
Astoria was well aware of the fact that Harry was not completely into women, and Harry was well aware of the fact that Astoria was not one hundred percent into men either. They kept each other's secret, shared their pain, and laughed at their miserable failure of a love life. They truly were a sight. "Are you ready, my dear?" Harry drawled, emphasizing his petname for the shorter Slytherin. Astoria took his arm and shot him her award winning smile, "Let's give them a run for their money, love."
"Are they friends? Are they in love? Do you see what I mean now!?!" Hermione shrieked from behind them. Theo just laughed and looped his arm with Hermione, mentally preparing himself for the attention that was about to be placed on his group.
△⃒⃘
Two hours into the party, and Astoria stood with Harry's hand on her waist and her head on his shoulder. "Have you decided to go back?" Astoria questioned. Harry sighed, he knew this was coming. "Theo has decided he wants to finish his education. So naturally I will follow him. I have to make sure that he's okay."
Astoria pulled back, a small smile on her lips. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd think that I had some competition when it comes to Mr. Nott."
Harry laughed and kissed her head, "My dear, you have nothing to fear. I have eyes for no one." Astoria huffed, "Well that's no fun. As much as I love you, I won’t keep this up forever."
Astoria loved Harry with her entire being. He was her rock. As much as she enjoyed their fun little game, she knew that she would either have to marry Harry, or her parents would find another suitor. Harry knew this, of course. He knew that it wasn't fair that he dragged her into this; she had her own life. A lover. But Harry couldn't help it. Astoria Greengrass helped him breathe better. Even if he had to keep secrets from her.
Harry stepped back so he could twirl the short girl before dipping her, "Who knows, maybe I'll find love at school." Astoria giggled, "Luna says your destiny is written in the stars, maybe Hogwarts will help you figure it out."
He pushed the thoughts of the school to the back of his mind and focused on the beautiful girl in his arms. His eyes occasionally scanned the room for Theo and Hermione.
"I hope," Harry whispered into her hair.