Thursday, December 10th, 1994)
"Fairy Lights," Harry said to the Fat Lady.
The Fat Lady nodded once, and the portrait swung open. Harry and Hermione inhaled and exhaled, then walked into the room. Ron and Ginny were talking in whispers to each other, and were oblivious to Harry and Hermione's entrance for the moment. That moment didn't last long.
Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil hurried over to them, which got the attention of most of the crowd in the room.
"Harry, Hermione!" Parvati squealed, "We're so happy for you!"
"Are you?" Hermione asked, "You certainly seemed to hope Harry would ask one of you to the Ball. You were looking at him when Professor McGonagall made her announcement."
"You giggled at her, and looked at me – interrupting her speech," Harry said, "it was rude."
Lavender sniffed. "She didn't take points, did she? She's a Gryffindor Lion. She's as biased to Gryffindor as Snape is to Slytherin. She wasn't going to take points from us for something as silly as that.:"
"And yeah, we were looking at Harry, Hermione," Parvati said, "We were hoping he might ask one of us. But I'm sure every girl hoped he would ask them."
"Including you!" Lavender said, looking smug, "So don't act so prissy, Granger. Or maybe it is jealousy? Is that it? You don't want any other girl to flirt with Harry? Are you going to be possessive about it? Because that is very unhealthy for a positive relationship. It is like you can't trust him with other girls."
"I think you're right, Brown!" Ginny Weasley's voice carried.
Harry and Hermione narrowed their eyes as Ron and Ginny walked over to them. The crowd seemed to part as the two Weasleys made their way over, even Lavender and Parvati shuffled to the side a bit.
"Why shouldn't she be possessive?" Ginny asked. "She should be trying to keep him from everyone. Especially if she's so insecure, that she fears she won't be able to keep him faithful to her before the Ball even comes around. Harry's so fanciable. He's the perfect guy, isn't he? Every girl here knows it. He could have any girl. They'd do anything he wanted. He could have six girls on the evening of the Yule Ball lined up outside of a broom closet, waiting for him to invite them in and let him have his way with them!"
"Is that what you want, Ginevra?" Hermione asked. "Do you want to do that right now? Drop your knickers right in the middle of this room and let him have his way with you?"
Ginny's face went deep red.
"How can Harry trust you, Ginny, if you are so easy like that?" Hermione asked. "If you're willing to drop your knickers for Harry, why shouldn't we believe you wouldn't do it for any guy in here? Or in the rest of the castle? Why should we even believe that hasn't happened yet, Ginevra? Are you still intact, Ginevra? Or will you tell me you lost it while riding a broomstick? What color was that broomstick? Peach?"
Several students in the common room laughed, jeered and cat-called in Ginny's direction as her face lit up as red as some of the walls around the room..
"So you didn't want to wait for Harry before giving your virginity away?" Hermione asked. "Were you hoping your skills at sex would lure Harry in?"
There was more jeering and cat-calling.
"How dare you insult her like that, you bitch?!" Ron growled.
"Do not speak to her like that, Weasley!" Harry said.
"Mate, listen to me," Ron said, "She has you under a Love Potion or something! Get away from her. Ginny and I will take you to the Hospital Wing to have a Flushing Draught!"
"Why should I believe anything you have to say, Ron?" Harry said, "You didn't even give me a proper apology after the First Task for betraying me! Why? Were you hoping I would be tired enough to accept a lame apology from you, just so you could once again say you were the best friend of the Boy-Who-Lived!"
"This is that bitch's words coming out of your mouth, mate!" Ron said, "You know I gave you a right proper apology. You were too tired just to remember it. That is why you accepted my apology, because you knew I meant it! She told you my apology was so poor, because she wants to have you alone. Come on, mate. Why else would she be by your side after your name came out of the Goblet? How could she believe you didn't put your name in, when everyone else here says you did! Except me and Ginny, mate! It took a bit for us to realize you were right. Because Granger told us you put your name in. It was her who made us stay away from you! She wants you all to herself!
"Please, Harry! Get away from her so I can hex her, before she can stop us from helping you. Then we can take you to get cured! If you are under her thrall too long, you will be too weak to survive the rest of the Tournament! She's trying to kill you, don't you see! She put your name in the Goblet of Fire! That is why she told us you did, because she knew exactly how to do it. That is why she was so convincing! That is why we believed her! This is her plan! We've discovered your plan, Granger! Get away from him!"
Ron whipped out his wand. But before he could do anything, he was suddenly thrown across the room, and was now hanging on a wall above the fireplace.
"Students are not permitted to duel!" A high but powerful voice said.
A house-elf appeared between Harry and Ginny. It was now holding Ron's wand.
"You bloody creature!" Ron growled, "How dare you steal a pureblood's wand! I will have you executed for this! Ginny! Help me! Harry, mate? Get away from that bitch and come help me! Then we'll make sure this creature pays for its stupidity!"
"That creature, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall's voice rang out as she entered the Common Room, "is my personal house-elf, Mallory. If I hear you threaten her, or another student, again. I will see you gone from this castle!"
"House-Elves are not supposed to attack anybody!" Ginny complained, "She should be punished… executed for attacking my brother!"
"She attacked Ron because he drew his wand on Harry and me," Hermione said.
"I would never attack you, Harry!" Ron said, "I wanted you to get away from her. Professor McGonagall, Granger has Harry under a Love Potion! She's trying to get him killed in this tournament!"
"Those are serious accusations, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said. "If you insist on continuing this line of thought, I will have no choice but to give you, your sister, Miss Granger and Mr. Potter Veritaserum, Truth Serum, to discovered what really happened here. Including what your motive is, Mr. Weasley, for accusing Miss Granger of such things! Are you still going to insist on those accusations?"
"No, he won't, ma'am," Ginny said, before Ron could say anything, "He's simply jealous of Harry and… Hermione's relationship. He told me earlier he was planning on trying to get Harry to break up with her. Everything he just said, he… he thought Harry would believe him. Because Harry is his friend, and Ron is Harry's first and best friend."
"Ginny!" Ron cried. "What are you doing?"
"Yes, what are you doing, Ginny?" Hermione asked. "Ron isn't the only one trying to break up our relationship, is he? We have witnesses here who saw what you said. Are you going to tell us you're not trying to break us up? Does that truly sound like you want to be our friend and support us?"
Ginny didn't say anything.
Ron, however, decided to open his dumb mouth. "Lying bitch!"
"Detention, Mr. Weasley!" McGonagall exclaimed, "Tomorrow night my classroom, seven-o-clock! And you too, Miss Weasley!"
"What?!" Ginny barked. "Why me?!"
She yelped when McGonagall summoned her wand as well.
"Don't think I didn't see you with your wand out, Miss Weasley," McGonagall said, "If my elf hadn't stopped your brother in time, I have enough evidence to know you would have joined him in whatever foolishness he was about to do! Especially since you won't answer whether or not you wanted to interfere in Mr. Potter and Miss Granger's relationship. For that alone, I have reason you are not being entirely truthful about your actions."
Ginny scowled. "Fine. It seems you want to make me your scapegoat, so I can't say anything in my defense. Not that you'll believe me anyway. Can I be excused?"
"Only if you are going straight to your dormitory, Miss Weasley," McGonagall said; she used her wand lowered Ron down from above the fireplace. "You too, Mr. Weasley. Both of you are grounded to your dormitories for the remainder of the evening. I will have dinner delivered to you in your dormitory. If you are lucky, you will receive your wands back tomorrow morning at breakfast. Go!"
Miraculously, neither Ron nor Ginny dared to look at Harry and Hermione with McGonagall's presence in the room. They simply walked toward their respective stairwells and disappeared up the stairs.
"Messrs. Frederick and George Weasley," McGonagall said, "I do hope you weren't about to be involved in your siblings' foolishness?"
"Only to stop what they were doing, Professor," Fred said. "We cannot believe their actions tonight."
"We're appalled by their behavior," George added. "And swear they are adopted."
"Or maybe we are," Fred said, "We can't get the true answer out of Mum. She says she gave birth to all of us. We know she's lying."
"Because how can we be related to those two?!" Fred and George said in unison.
Minerva huffed when the others in the Common Room snickered or chuckled.
"Adopted or not, please keep an eye on your siblings more often, Messrs. Weasley," McGonagall said, seriously, "If they step another toe out of line, they very well might be suspended or expelled from this castle. Understand?"
Gasps and whispers were heard around the Common Room. A student was rarely ever expelled from Hogwarts! Rubeus Hagrid might have been the last one, and Newt Scamander before him! Certainly nobody had been expelled while Dumbledore was Headmaster!
"Yes, ma'am," Fred and George said.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger," McGonagall said, turning to the new couple, "Follow me. Neither of you are in trouble. I just wish to have a discussion with you."
Harry and Hermione nodded and followed the Head of Gryffindor House out through the portrait-hole. Then she led them down the corridor, and led them to a red and gold tapestry several feet from the Fat Lady.
McGonagall waved her wand, and the tapestry folded itself up toward the ceiling, revealing a door behind it. Harry and Hermione gasped at the sight of the door. They had never known this was here, even with the Marauder's Map.
McGonagall muttered something under breath, and they heard a mechanical sound. The Professor opened the door and led the couple inside. Harry expected to enter a room, but found another corridor, this one narrower than the one they were just in. There were four doors along the walls of the corridor.
"The three further doors lead to a small common room, and currently vacant private quarters meant for the Head Boy and Head Girl, when said students are Gryffindors. Percy Weasley enjoyed said room last year. The common room is used for the Head Boy and Head Girl and their guests to hang out together, since they are not given permission into each other's private quarters. This door here, is where our current destination is."
McGonagall led them through another door, and into the adjoining room. Harry looked around the room and found it was similar to the various Professor's offices he had been in – aside from the Headmaster's, who was one of the grander rooms in the castle.
The room had red and gold wallpaper on the walls. Gryffindor colors. There was a fireplace that had lit just as McGonagall and the two students entered the room. Instead of a desk where a Professor might sit, there was a comfortable-looking sitting area near the fireplace. Two comfortable-looking couches and two chairs were positioned there.
"Please sit down, the both of you," McGonagall requested, "You may sit together if you wish. In fact it might be better to do so. I fear this will be a difficult conversation, and you may need each other's comfort."
Harry and Hermione blushed, even as they were curious and confused at the Professor's statement. They walked over to a couch and sat down, while McGonagall sat down in a chair.
"This," McGonagall said, "is the office of the Head of Gryffindor. Behind that door, is the Head of Gryffindor's private quarters."
She indicated a door Harry had not noticed until now.
"I used to use these rooms before I became the Deputy Headmistress," McGonagall said. "Now it is vacant. I now believe it was a grave mistake of mine to have vacated this room."
"Why, Professor?" Hermione asked.
"Because it means I have lost focus on being the Head of Gryffindor, Miss Granger," McGonagall said, sadly. "Tell me, you two, can you ever recall a time, before tonight, when I met you and the other students to have discussions with you about anything?"
"After Hermione was petrified in our second year," Harry said, frowning, "You gave us a warning that the school might close."
"Last year," Hermione said, "When Sirius broke into the Gryffindor Tower. You… yelled at Neville, as I recall."
McGonagall sighed. "Yes. Notice a pattern? I'm only there to meet the students when something bad happens. That is not my only duties when it comes to the Head of Gryffindor House. Rather, it should not be my only duties. Ask a Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, even a Slytherin, and they'll tell you their Heads of Houses – yes, even Professor Snape – has meetings every now and then with their students. For example, I know the other three Heads meet every new first year each year, and introduce themselves and discuss the ins and outs of their particular House. For example, Ravenclaw has a private library."
"What?!" Hermione squeaked; then she blushed. "Sorry, Professor."
"Quite," McGonagall muttered, making Harry laugh and Hermione blush deeper, "Each House has their own secrets and things that make it special Ravenclaw's is the private library. Now, as I was saying, I haven't hosted any meetings like that in several years. I believe the last one was the year before you two started here. I am afraid I am terribly overworked in my duties. Nobody should ever have three separate jobs."
Hermione muttered, "Headmaster Dumbledore."
McGonagall gave a wry smile. "Very much so, Miss Granger. The Headmaster, aside from this job, is also the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and also has important duties with the International Confederation of Warlocks. Three very busy jobs, and sometimes I feel that my duties are even busier, and all of my jobs are in the same location! I have been so remiss in my duties as Head of Gryffindor lately, and this year, tonight especially, it shows.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, you are here for three reasons. First, is to tell you something I've should have done three years ago. Second, I wish to discuss with you the events of this evening. Third, the events of this year concerning Gryffindor House.
"But before I begin with that, I must do something. Forgive me, both of you for what I must do."
She waved her wand toward the couple, and for a mad moment, they thought she was going to attack them! But nothing happened. She just stared at them for a moment, her eyes traveling from Harry to Hermione, and back and forth.
"I am sorry, you two," McGonagall said. "I had to take Mr. Weasley's accusation seriously. I checked both of you for Love Potions. You are not under the influence of any. Unfortunately, I cannot check you for anything besides that."
"Can Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione asked.
McGonagall grimaced. "Yes, but… I can't ask her. If you are under any negative Potions or enchantments, it probably means someone in this castle may be responsible for that. I do not want them to discover such a thing if you were to get them removed here. Madam Pomfrey could give you Flushing Draughts, but… a proper evaluation would inform us if you were under any negative influence. And maybe who is responsible. A Healer at the wizarding hospital St. Mungo's can do it. In fact, I have a friend who would do it for me as a favor. I tell you what. I'll contact my friend, and arrange an appointment for her to meet the three of us for a meeting in Hogsmeade. She can evaluate the two of you then."
"Would my parents and Harry's guardians need to assent to such things?" Hermione asked.
Harry grimaced at that question. The Dursleys were cautious about doctors when it came to Harry, due to past malnutrition. They would never give permission.
"Not for this, Miss Granger," McGonagall said. "Your permission, and mine, will be enough."
"Then I accept," Hermione said.
"Me too," Harry said, "Er… what if we are influenced by anything? I mean… how would we know?"
"I recognize no oddities with either of you at the moment," McGonagall said, with a sigh. "Until we can get that appointment, I'm afraid that will have to be the best we can do."
"We'll just hope it means nothing is bad for us," Hermione said.
"I suppose it has to be enough for now," Harry said. "I mean… I don't feel different. If Ron or Ginny were trying to keep me and Hermione apart… today tells us they didn't succeed."
"A good point, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said. "For now, as you said, that must be enough proof of no immediate problems. So I think I can move on with my reason for us being here."
She cleared her throat and clasped her hands together. "I was going to start with that Halloween of first year, but I just realized something else. Mr. Potter, if you had any other choice, would you have played Seeker that first year? If I hadn't basically ordered you to?"
"I… don't know, Professor," Harry said. "Even then I loved flying. From the first moment I was on a broom I loved flying. I suppose if Quidditch was the only way I could fly on a broom, then – yeah, I would have played Seeker."
"Perhaps," McGonagall said, "But I ordered you to be Seeker. I did not ask you. I didn't even take in the fact you knew so little about Quidditch. I should have been more respectful toward you about that whole business."
"You're forgiven ma'am," Harry said, "I do love Quidditch. I might not have been on the team without your help. Certainly wouldn't have had such a good broom like the one you gave me."
McGonagall allowed a rare smile. "Thank you, Mr. Potter. That was the easiest part of this, I believe. On Halloween of your first year, I took notice you were missing for most of that day, Miss Granger, and I did nothing until the troll was in the castle. You were almost injured or worse, and it took Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley to protect you. Not me, or the Headmaster. Two first year students. Yes, I know the story you told me, Miss Granger. You did not go search for it yourself, young lady. You were in that bathroom because of Ron Weasley and his big mouth."
Hermione blushed. "I apologize for lying to you back then. I didn't want to get Harry and Ron in trouble. I should have been in the Great Hall for the feast that night, and I was embarrassed that I had spent so long in the bathroom feeling sorry for myself. Also, I hoped if I had stopped Harry and Ron from getting in trouble, they might become my friends."
"It worked," Harry said, smiling.
McGonagall smiled. "Apology accepted. I ask for your forgiveness too. It was one of my mistakes I've made, especially concerning the both of you. Several mistakes, if I include all those times Mr. Malfoy and his friends decided to go to the Gryffindor table for no other reason than to pester you. It always ended up with Professor Snape taking points from you, and I could have prevented each incident by telling Mr. Malfoy to go to his own table.
"Then there is the detention which ended up with you in the Forbidden Forest. I learned you were out past curfew helping Hagrid with that dragon of his. But I only heard about it the following summer. I wish you would have told me what you were doing, or had come to me before that evening. I would have helped Hagrid with the dragon. But… since I realize I've not been a proper Head of Gryffindor, you might have been wary about me.
"I made that even worse with the Philosopher's Stone incident. You three came to me that day to warn me the Stone was in danger. To my deep regret, I dismissed you, simply because, Mr. Potter, you and you friends remind me of a certain other group of friends in the past."
"The Marauders," Harry said, smiling.
"Very much so," McGonagall said. "I assumed you had become like your father, and was trying to prank me. I should have realized it wasn't a prank. To my deep regret, you nearly got yourselves killed that night! And yet, the three of you were able to get past the obstacles. Do you know how embarrassing it is that three first years got past all those obstacles? Even the first door was opened with a first year Charm! I tore into the Headmaster the following summer over all of that! I was embarrassed with myself and my fellow staff that we could not do anything better to protect the Stone! And that it took a first year to protect it for us! Again, my apologies on the behalf of my fellow staff!
"Then your second year. Oh, where to begin? The Basilisk and the Chamber was a clear disaster for all staff in this castle. How did we not realize it was a Basilisk? The King of Serpents, an obvious beast Slytherin would have used! To my deep regret, I should have pressed into the Headmaster deeper, when I suggested he bring in the DMLE to help us! He did not! It lead to several students getting petrified including you, Miss Granger, and two students almost dying! There is also the whole 'Heir of Slytherin' thing. The gossip and rumors, the insults and accusations toward you, Mr. Potter. I should have stopped it! And again, you, Mr. Potter, had to do our jobs for us and save the day, and Ginny Weasley's life.
"And how does she repay you? By almost attacking you tonight?! By helping her brother provoke you, then lying about it all to me, of all people! A Professor! The nerve of that girl! She basically dismissed the fact you saved her life, over the desire to be with you romantically! She dishonored you greatly, Mr. Potter. Not for her actions tonight, but for turning on you after saving her life! Things like that should be sacred in the wizarding world!"
Harry nodded. That was a very good point.
"Miss Granger, you're going to argue with me," McGonagall said, "But I should have never allowed you to use the Time Turner. Percy Weasley took as many classes as you did and didn't need a Time Turner. Even then, I could have convinced you not to take Divination and Muggle Studies, told you that you would have resigned from those classes by the end of the year, as you had done. You exhausted yourself, and with the Dementors nearby, it was even worse! I feel terrible about not realizing these things much sooner."
Hermione merely shrugged. Harry knew she couldn't admit she was okay with using the Time Turner, given how they had used it at the end of last year. He expected that was her very line of thought.
"And so we move onto this year," McGonagall said. "Something tells me I don't know half of what has been going on in this castle. So I can't apologize about any of it yet, since I don't know what to apologize for. I will apologize for one thing, however.
"You see, I could have prevented what took place a little while ago between yourselves and the Weasleys. And I did not. I had predicted a confrontation between you two and them, and I did nothing to stop it before it started."
"How did you predict it?" Harry asked, curiously.
"I am sure you're aware your performance in the Great Hall today caused many girls to become jealous and angry," McGonagall said.
"Yes, we're aware," Hermione said, "We just decided to ignore it."
"Did you ignore young Mr. and Miss Weasley during lunch?" McGonagall asked.
"Yeah," Harry said, "We – ah – predicted the confrontation as well, and we didn't want it to take place at lunch."
"You predicted a confrontation – the confrontation that happened in the Common Room?" McGonagall asked.
"Yes," Hermione said, "We were expecting it either before or after dinner."
McGonagall sighed. "I suppose it was inevitable to the point you couldn't avoid it otherwise."
"If it happened tonight," Harry said, "It could have happened in my dormitory. There wouldn't have been any witnesses. We didn't want to risk it."
"I suppose I see your point," McGonagall said. "Well, if you hadn't ignored Mr. and Miss Weasley at lunch, you would have seen what I did. The expressions on the two youngest Weasleys were – to be frank – the darkest expressions on any student I've seen in a long time. Worse than even Professor Snape can achieve. They were worse than Slytherins, even. Their expressions of jealousy and anger were so terrible, that I immediately knew they were up to something suspicious. They only stopped glaring at you two, because Miss Weasley noticed me looking at her. Then she made her brother stop."
"Oh, god," Hermione whispered, "We… we didn't know it would be that bad."
"I hoped it wouldn't have been so bad either," McGonagall said, "But I'm glad I took precautions. That is why I asked my house-elves to watch you two and them. Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, I will warn you. This is not over between you and them. They're… up to something. I don't know what, but I don't like it. You two getting together has set those two off something serious. Let's just say I wish I could suspend them this evening. Be careful around them, you two."
"We will," Hermione promised.
"I won't let them do anything to Hermione, Professor," Harry said.
"They won't do anything to you either, Harry," Hermione said, "I'll make sure of it."
"No, you two," McGonagall said, "I will make sure of it. You're going to have an house-elf escort everywhere you go for the foreseeable future. When you aren't together, there will be one for each of you. Don't worry, they won't interfere in private moments you two want. They'll be watchful, but they'll make sure you have privacy. You will also never see them unless they want you to. I wish this wasn't necessary, but it is."
Harry thought Hermione would argue, given her stance on House-Elves. But even she knew she needed the security an elf would give her.
"We'll agree to that, Professor," Hermione said.
"Um… Professor?" Harry asked. "I think I might know a house-elf that would love to do the job. He currently works here actually."
"Call him, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, "And I will call one of mine. Mallory!"
"Dobby?" Harry called.
Two house-elves suddenly appeared as they were called. Harry and Hermione recognized the elf as the same one who had defended them from Ron earlier. And of course, both of them were familiar with Dobby.
"The Great Harry Potter calls Dobby?" Dobby asked.
"Do you know Professor McGonagall, Dobby?" Harry asked.
"Dobby is very familiar with Professor Kitty," Dobby said, nodding.
McGonagall's lips thinned at the nickname. "Hello, young Dobby. Thank you for being here. You as well, Mallory. Dobby, Mr. Potter tells me you may be able to assist him with something."
"Dobby will always help the Great Harry Potter!" Dobby exclaimed.
"Mr. Potter and Miss Granger have recently come into some complications," McGonagall said. "I believe they may be in danger from someone they thought were their friends. Two students, Ronald and Ginevra Weasley, might be plotting something we are not clear about. They attempted to attack Mr. Potter and Miss Granger this evening, before Mallory stepped in and stopped them. Dobby, Mallory, I want you two to watch and protect Mr. Potter and Miss Granger respectively, night and day while here in this castle. Not all night, of course. One of you will rest for a few hours while they sleep, while the other is keeping an eye on them. Then the other will do the same while the first rests. Do not be seen by anyone, including Mr. Potter and Miss Granger unless you must step in to help them. Call when they ask you to come. Mr. Potter and Miss Granger will only call for you as an emergency. Is this clear?"
Harry and Hermione agreed, as did Dobby and Mallory.
"Dobby promises to protect and watch Harry and his Hermy!" Dobby exclaimed.
Hermione snorted softly at the nickname.
"Excellent," McGonagall said. "The two of you may remain here, out of sight, until I call for you again."
Dobby and Mallory bowed, then disappeared, but they did not leave the room.
"Well, that makes me feel better," Hermione said.
"Same here," Harry said.
"I have another plan to keep you safer," McGonagall said, "But I will mention that after we're through with the next topic of this meeting. Because if my suspicions are correct, the plan will definitely need to come into fruition. Mr. Potter, Miss Granger. I want you to be completely honest with me. Do not be afraid to keep anything back. There will be no repercussions from myself, staff or any students, especially your house-mates because of this. I just want your honest answer. My question… how safe do you feel in the Gryffindor Tower?"
Harry and Hermione blinked at such an unexpected question.
"Let me make it easier," McGonagall said. "When you first arrived here, I told you your house would be like your family. Does that hold true at this moment?"
"Honestly, Professor," Hermione said, "I think Harry will agree with me on this. If our house is like a family, I think we might want to apply for divorce from Gryffindor."
McGonagall frowned and closed her eyes. She pinched her nose, then clasped her hands and opened her eyes.
"Forgive me," McGonagall said. "I… actually expected that answer. Now I want you to clarify."
"Gryffindor hasn't treated me – and Hermione, I suppose – like family, since my name came out of the Goblet of Fire," Harry said. "Okay, they were thrilled I was chosen as a Champion. However, they would not listen to me or believe me when I said I did not put my name in. When those damned badges claiming I 'stink' were made, there were several Gryffindors who wore them. I'm not sure if Ron and Ginny wore them."
"They did," McGonagall muttered, "The badges had charms on them that – if activated – would make none of the staff or certain other individuals see them."
"That is why the staff never did anything about them!" Hermione gasped.
"Indeed, Miss Granger," McGonagall said. "Mostly. I could see them, because, due to my Animagus for, I have… enhanced senses. My eyesight isn't superhuman, but it is far better than normal. If I wear glasses, they are for show. I can see through enchantments like Notice-Me-Not Charms. Mr. and Miss Weasley used such charms on the badges so you wouldn't see them, as did others. Those who didn't use them wanted you to know they wore them. If I were to ask all the Gryffindors how many of them wore the badges, and to be completely honest about it, I assure you, there would be a lot more students who wore those badges than you think."
"However, the Headmaster, who could also see them, didn't want me to do anything about the badges. He didn't give me a great reason for doing so, but unfortunately, I accepted his request. For that, I apologize once again. Please continue."
"The Gryffindors were very sneaky about their… dislike… toward me, and again, Hermione, I think," Harry said; Hermione frowned and nodded. "They mostly disliked me for one main reason. Because I am a reluctant Champion. If I had said I put my name in, they might have supported me, and do it honestly. But because I do not want to be Champion, they support me publicly, and disregard me privately. I've heard insults and various other negative remarks since Halloween.
"They cheered me on at the First Task and cheered me afterward at the party I was forced to attend. But only because they thought I was no longer a reluctant Champion, because I had done so well. They didn't understand I did all that to survive. Not because I wanted a good score. When they realized I was still that reluctant Champion, the insults started again. At least a handful of students told me I should have been eaten by the dragon. Or simply lay down and summoned a white flag instead of my broomstick. Since I was a reluctant Champion, they wanted me to make myself look like an idiot during the Tasks."
"Merciful Merlin," McGonagall muttered.
"I had to ward my bed so none of my dorm-mates would hex me or something," Harry said; he squeezed Hermione's hand, which he had been holding for several minutes as he smiled at her, "Hermione helped me with figuring out how to put them up. I might not have made it to the First Task in one piece if it wasn't for her. I definitely wouldn't have survived the First Task if it wasn't for her."
Hermione blushed and smiled. She kissed his cheek, then blushed deeper when she looked at McGonagall.
"Sorry," she murmured.
"No apology needed, Miss Granger," McGonagall said, "I am very glad you are there for Mr. Potter, and he there for you. It sounds as if the both of you have helped each other get through all the troubles this year."
Harry and Hermione nodded and smiled as they squeezed each other's hand.
"I think the only reason Ron apologized to me after the First Task," Harry said, "was so he could be Harry Potter's best friend again. Or is that the Boy-Who-Lived? Was it all for show. I'm quite sure it was. Because while he portrayed himself as my friend, he treated Hermione just as bad as he always does. Frankly, I don't think his attitude changed toward Hermione in the past three years. He still behaves – toward her – as that little boy who bullied her and scared her off into that bathroom. He just does a great job at not letting me know how bad it is. And Hermione…"
"Ron was Harry's first friend, Professor," Hermione said, "I didn't want to ruin their friendship by telling him that Ron is still the same bully when Harry isn't around. I was too scared to lose Harry's friendship if I said anything. If I lost Harry's trust or friendship, I… I might have left Hogwarts and never come back."
Harry's eyes widened as he looked at her. She never told him that.
"I'm sorry, Harry," she said, "It is true. I might love being a student here, but without you in my life, I wouldn't be able to bear being here another day. Especially as each day would be a reminder of what you and I have, or… had, because it would be past tense in that scenario. I would have to you see you every day if I was to remain here, under that type of scenario. I could not do that if you no longer considered me a friend."
"That will never happen, Hermione," Harry said, "Never. I… Professor, I would leave too, if she was forced to leave Hogwarts. I would not care what you, Dumbledore, the students, or even the Ministry would have to say to me. I'd leave with her. I'd probably convince her to go to another school with me. Maybe Ilvermorny in the States since they speak English. I can't be here if she isn't, Professor."
"It pains me to hear it, but it does not surprise me, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said. "I completely understand. Every staff member, including me, has failed you in some way or another – even those Professors you've never met or had a class with - ever since you started your education here. I am apologizing for that tonight, and starting anew. I am going to try to redeem myself. And I will start with this.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger. I have heard enough for me to make this decision. Starting tonight, after this meeting, the two of you will not step foot in Gryffindor Tower for anything ever again. You'll still be Gryffindors, but from now on, you will reside in the Gryffindor Head Boy and Head Girl rooms. If we have a Head Boy or Head Girl in Gryffindor before your seventh year, we will make different arrangements for you. Until then, those quarters are your residences, and the Common Room is yours to share. You can invite any friends you wish, however – be wary about who you invite.
"After this meeting, I will be replacing the door and tapestry outside in the corridor with a Portrait. Only you two, me, and anyone you give permission to will see that portrait. There will be a Notice-Me-Not Charm on the portrait and the doorway keyed to anyone besides you two, me and anyone you wish to invite here to hang out in the Common Room for a set amount of time per day. Because of this security, there will be no reason for a password. Anyone not welcome here will not be able to see you – or those who are invited – going through that doorway. They will believe you went elsewhere in the castle instead.
"Of course there are rules. Neither of you are allowed in either one's private quarters. There will be portraits on the doors of your Quarters that you may address if the occupant – each of you respectively – is inside. The portrait – who will have another copy inside the room – will inform the occupant you have a visitor. You can then choose to go to the Common Room located across the hall from your rooms, or elsewhere in the castle.
"Do not abuse the Common Room privilege. While I will permit some types of intimacy, there will be enchantments that prevent any clothes from being removed while you are in that room. Therefore, I am sure you can use your imagination as to what is permitted when it comes to intimacy. Do you understand?"
Harry and Hermione blushed and nodded.
"Yes, Professor," Hermione said.
"I understand, Professor," Harry said.
"Are there any Gryffindors you can trust at this moment?" McGonagall asked. "Whether or not you wish to invite them to your Common Room is not the point right now. I want to know, so I am not addressing them in the near future when I meet with the rest of my students."
"There are a few, I suppose," Harry said, "Neville Longbottom, Fred and George Weasley, Lee Jordan, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell."
"Thank goodness," McGonagall muttered, "I don't have to kick anyone off the Quidditch team."
Harry chuckled. "I can't think of anyone else. Wait! Um… the entire class of Gryffindor first year students."
"I'm listening," McGonagall said.
"Although some of them might have been mean to me or insulted me," Harry said, "It was probably due to peer pressure, or the desire to fit in. They haven't been here long enough to know the House dynamic. I will forgive all of them as long as they know they were in the wrong and do not do it again."
"That was very thoughtful, Harry," Hermione said, "I completely agree."
"As do I," McGonagall said, smiling. "Peer pressure could be considered bullying, and we will cast that blame on the older students. Trying to fit in… understandable. They were trying to prove they were Gryffindors. They just did so the wrong way. Yes, they will not be targets for my… ire. Miss Granger, anybody you wish to add?"
Hermione shook her head. "I'd say Lavender and Parvati, but… now that I am with you, Harry? Especially after what they said when we returned to the Common Room. They are not our friends."
"I understand your caution, Miss Granger," McGonagall said, "What about the Prefects?"
"I… I don't even know who the Prefects are, Professor," Harry said.
"Well, that tells me how bad they are when it comes to you, Mr. Potter," McGonagall muttered.
"I know who they are," Hermione said, "They are as bad, Professor. They didn't do their jobs of helping us when we needed them."
McGonagall sighed. "As much as I don't want to give the Weasley twins a Prefect Badge, it looks like I have to give one or both of them a badge, as well as Miss Bell and one of the two older Chasers. Because it sounds as if the others do not deserve their Badges."
"Sorry, Professor," Harry said.
"Do not apologize to me for this, Mr. Potter – Harry," McGonagall said, sternly; "You do not need to apologize to me for anything. Do you understand me? None of this is your fault, Harry. None of it. It is mine. If I didn't know the trouble it would bring, I would resign as Head of Gryffindor. But it needs to be me, because only I know – now, that is – what is going on in my Tower."
"I can't think of anything to say," Harry said. "I'd apologize for that, but…."
"I understand," McGonagall said. "Dobby, Mallory?"
The two house-elves appeared. "Mallory, gather Miss Granger's belongings from Gryffindor Tower, and put them in the Head Girl's room down the hall. Dobby, do the same for Mr. Potter and put them in the Head Boy's Room. Come back when you're finished."
Mallory returned thirty seconds later.
"Done, Mistress," Mallory said.
"Well done, Mallory," McGonagall said.
Three nervous humans waited for nearly a minute before Dobby returned.
"Done, Professor Kitty," Dobby said, "Dobby be late because he be dropping eaves."
"Dropping eaves?" Harry asked.
"He overheard something," Hermione said, "What did you hear, Dobby?"
"Dobby be hearing bad Weasel boy," Dobby said, "Bad Weasel boy be ranting and saying very bad language about not being able to get into the Great Harry Potter's trunk."
Harry growled. "I knew he had a history of stealing from my trunk! I should have known he was responsible for the missing candy and Galleons. At least ten Galleons over the past three and a half years have gone missing. Maybe more! And all of my dorm-mates denied taking anything every time. They said it was someone else in the Tower. Anyone could get in my dorm, including girls. Ginny proved that by stealing from me in my second year. Only this year, I warded it when I warded my bed."
"I will make Mr. Weasley and Miss Weasley tell me about everything they've taken from your trunk and other trunks," McGonagall said, "If they stole from yours… they possibly stole from others."
"Thanks, Professor," Harry said.
"Did Mr. Weasley say anything specific, Dobby?" McGonagall asked.
"Bad Weasley boy be saying he wants the Great Harry Potter's broomstick, and Cloak," Dobby said, "Said he deserved them for everything he did, and that he had earned it as another reward."
"Another reward?" Hermione said.
"He didn't clarify?" Harry asked.
"No, Great Harry Potter," Dobby said, "Dobby believes there was something stopping him. Magics be preventing him from saying too much if anyone was listening. Dobby be hearing more."
"What did he say?" Harry asked.
"Bad Weasley be saying he wants the map too," Dobby said, "so he can watch the Great Harry Potter and his Hermy. He… he be thinking you haven't had a first kiss. He says he wants to be there to prevent you from kissing your Hermy. Because only he should be kissing Hermy, and only Bad Weasel Girl should be kissing the Great Harry Potter. He… he be trying to say more, but the magics stopped him."
McGonagall pinched her nose. "Mr. and Miss Weasley are plotting against you two, and if I can't discover this so-called magic, I won't be able to know what that plot is."
"Dobby be having idea," Dobby said.
"Yes, Dobby?" Harry said.
"When Dobby be working for Bad Former Master Malfoy," Dobby said, "Bad Master Malfoy be wanting Dobby and other elves to find and collect artifacts. Not bad artifacts. Helpful artifacts that helped Bad Master eavesdrop or spy on certain things. Dobby be certain young Bad Malfoy has these items. Dobby knows how to sneak into young Bad Malfoy's trunk to take these artifacts if they be there. Dobby can give artifacts to Great Harry Potter and his Hermy to wear. If Bad Weasels be talking in secret, believing nobody else is hearing, and Great Harry Potter and his Hermy overhear while wearing artifacts, Dobby thinks they be hearing Bad Weasel secrets."
"So let me get this straight," McGonagall said. "I cannot outright ask Mr. and Miss Weasley to tell me their secrets. They can only talk about it, and be overheard with these artifacts if they believe nobody is listening. Draco Malfoy has said artifacts that might assist Mr. Potter and Miss Granger, if they wear these, and eavesdrop on Mr. and Miss Weasley."
"Dobby believe so, Professor Kitty," Dobby said. "House-Elves cannot wear these artifacts. Elf magic interferes when wearing artifacts."
"So we would have to be lucky to hear something," Harry said.
McGonagall sighed. "These artifacts sound like something Draco Malfoy should not have. You have my permission to steal them, Dobby. Simply because I believe Professor Snape would never let me have them, and I fear we need to use them so we can learn what Mr. and Miss Weasley are up to. I will create fakes of these artifacts, convincing fakes, to give you to return to Mr. Malfoy's trunk. Go now, Dobby. Be safe."
"Dobby be back soon, Professor Kitty," Dobby said.
McGonagall sighed as Dobby vanished. "I never believed I'd be doing something like this. I've never had to deal with something like this. Jealous girls and boys, sure. A prime example is your parents, Mr. Potter."
Harry perked up, always eager to hear about his parents. "Really?"
"Yes, McGonagall said, with a very brief smile, "Long before your parents first became a couple, your father still badly fancied your mother. He was paranoid that if your mother went on a date with another boy, it'd be a long-term relationship and he'd never get a chance with her. Your father discouraged several of your mother's potential suitors by pranking them, so that when they went on a date with her, they had very bad dates. Bad flatulence, for example. Or a boy wouldn't be able to keep their eyes off your mother's… breasts. Or they'd be overcome with bad breath (for those who wanted to kiss your mother), or symptoms of the Muggle disease known as Tourette's."
Hermine giggled. "They'd have uncontrollable urges to use swearwords. Targeted at Harry's mother?"
"Precisely" McGonagall said, with a smirk. "Lily had so many bad dates that she finally gave up for two years. The next date she went on was with James, and they never looked back. Aside from your father's knack for cursing your mother's suitors, there was a long history of stuff not associated with any Marauders. Bad relationship break-ups that resulted in hexes and curses and pranks for a few weeks. There's even been some pregnancy scares, and a couple of pregnant seventh years who chose to become pregnant before they finished their education."
McGonagall muttered a phrase under her breath, and Harry swore he heard her say "Molly Weasley." He decided, if it was true, it would certainly explain a lot of things.
McGonagall continued. "Never have I dealt with someone like Mr. and Miss Weasley actively plotting of deliberately interfering in your new relationship. Enough to accuse you of such ridiculous things like they did tonight! Believe it or not, I've never had to deal with anybody, until now, trying to break another couple up. Your father targeted your mother's suitors on their first date, before they could ever agree to become a couple. No established couples. So that doesn't count. I am quite sure Ronald and Ginevra are plotting to do something to break you up as a couple. Permanently. Maybe to a point that…"
"What, Professor?" Hermione asked, when the Professor hesitated.
"Because of your show in the Great Hall," McGonagall said, "Everybody will know you're going together to the Ball. Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, I have to apologize for what I'm about to request of you. I know you wanted to keep your relationship private for now. I have to ask you to consider changing your mind. You need to convince everyone in this castle there is no doubt that you two are together and are a dedicated couple to each other.
"Simply because I believe Mr. and Miss Weasley's endgame may very well be to try to break you up through nefarious means, and convince everyone that there is nothing sinister with the way you two ended your relationship. I can think of several scenarios, you two. It is very plausible. But until I can come up with proof, I cannot move against Mr. and Miss Weasley at all."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other.
"Do you really want to do this, Hermione?" Harry asked. "I know you wanted this privacy for us. So you wouldn't be seen in the spotlight as the girlfriend of the Boy-Who-Lived."
"Harry, if I have to sacrifice privacy for the promise that nobody will be able to break us up," Hermione said, "I'll do it in a heartbeat."
"First public kiss at dinner?" Harry suggested.
"Ron and Ginny won't be there," Hermione said.
"Professor Snape probably will," Harry said.
"I will handle Professor Snape," McGonagall said. "I'll use Dobby's thievery plan as a white lie. I'll say a Gryffindor has accused a Slytherin of stealing an priceless family heirloom. But he doesn't know which one it is, because multiple suspects have threatened to steal it. Professor Snape will have to investigate… immediately. Stealing family heirlooms would get the perpetrator in a lot of trouble."
"If you think that will work," Harry said, "Then go ahead."
"If you think you must," Hermione said.
"For you two to protect yourselves and your relationship," McGonagall said, "I will do so. I mean it, you two. You cannot leave doubt with anyone in this castle. Because it will be the students who will have to come forward if anything suspicious about a break-up between you two is noticed."
"What about you?" Hermione asked.
"I'm afraid since I've placed Mr. and Miss Weasley in detention, I've made them wary of me," McGonagall said. "Believe me, some of my plausible scenarios have me completely forgetting anything concerning your relationship."
"Obliviation?" Hermione gasped. "You think you might be Obliviated of our relationship?"
"I think there is a good chance if Mr. and Miss Weasley succeed," McGonagall said, "we three might be Obliviated of any evidence of your relationship. We might forget everything about your relationship, from the fact that you fancy each other – or ever did – to the beginning of your relationship this morning – to whatever happens between the two of you."
"Oh, god," Hermione whimpered.
Harry wanted to throw up.
"They cannot possibly Obliviate the mass of students," McGonagall said, "If they could, it might have happened before now. That is why there is no possibility that you two have an already existing romantic relationship you do not remember. Unless it happened during a summer, of course. Like this summer. Fewer people to Obliviate. Too many to Obliviate here, before it becomes risky. So they will be your witnesses. Convince them, you two. They will be the reason you remain a couple for however long you wish that to happen."
"What can we do about this right now?" Harry asked.
"Trust Dobby and Mallory to protect you," McGonagall said, "Be wary, be cautious. Constant Vigilance as Professor Moody would say. And be suspicious of what Mr. and Miss Weasley are doing. For you may soon be able to discover their true plan. Until you discover that plan, we cannot move against them at all. We can only do damage control before they do any more damage."
"The Opening Salvos," Hermione said, "We have to make the opening moves. We have to be several pieces ahead."
"Against a very good chess player," Harry muttered.
"If you remember, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, "That chessboard you beat in your first year was mine."
"Ron beat it," Harry said.
"Because I wasn't able to raise the difficulty on it too much," McGonagall said. "The Headmaster prevented me. Apparently he wanted the thief – Quirrel – to pass the obstacles and get stuck at the Mirror. Anyway, I am a better chess player than Mr. Weasley. Between the three of us, we can get through this."
Dobby chose to appear at that moment. "And Dobby will do everything to help the Great Harry Potter, his Hermy, and Professor Kitty against the Bad Weasels."
"Do you have the items that will help us in that quest, Dobby?" McGonagall asked.
Dobby opened his hands. Two bracelets were in his palms. "The Great Harry Potter and his Hermy be wearing one at all times. Then they just be listening when Bad Weasels be speaking bad secrets, and they be hearing those bad secrets."
"I wish to check those bracelets before I give them to Mr. Potter and Miss Granger," McGonagall said.
Dobby set the bracelets on the table in the center of the area. McGonagall carefully ran her wand over each of the bracelets. Then she conjured two identical copies of the bracelets and gave them to Dobby.
"These will last for about a month," McGonagall said, "Dobby, place them in Mr. Malfoy's trunk. Then you may come back and resume your duties. Thank you for everything, Dobby."
"Yes thank you, Dobby," Hermione gushed.
"Thanks, buddy," Harry said, affectionately.
"Dobby be glad to be helping the Great Harry Potter, his Hermy and Professor Kitty," Dobby said.
He took the fake bracelets and vanished again.
"Well, there is nothing sinister with these bracelets," McGonagall said. "They do have some interesting enchantments. I think they will do as Dobby said. You can wear them. I will place an enchantment on them so Mr. Malfoy, nor anyone else who might have bad intentions toward you, notices the bracelets as anything but costume jewelry. They shouldn't interfere with the already present magic on the bracelets."
She cast the necessary enchantments, then motioned to them. Harry and Hermione each took one of them.
"I believe we are finished here for now," McGonagall said. "You two know your mission. You can explore your new quarters. Tonight at dinner, I will ask all the Gryffindors – aside from the two of you, and those students you named, including the First Years – to remain in the Great Hall after dinner. And I will speak to all of them about their behavior this year. Mr. and Miss Weasley won't be there, but I'll have an explanation for them during their detention."
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said, "For everything."
"What she said," Harry said, "Since you don't think you deserve my thanks for anything."
McGonagall smiled. "You two are most welcome. I just wish none of this was necessary. Enjoy your new Quarters. I will escort there, and show you in, then I'll see you at dinner for your second show."
"The Opening Salvos," Hermione said. "Because apparently… we're at war with Weasleys."
Cry havoc! And let slip the dogs of war!
(Warning: Long Author's Note ahead, I feel I need to explain this chapter, because of its plot twists.)
I feel so mean to Harry and Hermione right now. They wanted nothing more than to keep their relationship private until the Yule Ball. It was their one desire for their relationship (at least in the early days). They even discussed where they could kiss and snog in private, just to keep that dream. And it dies less than twelve hours after they got together, because they need it to be public so they're in less danger! Aw, well, blame it on Weasley plotting! At least I gave them their own Private Quarters and Private Common Room where they can cuddle and snog!
The Confrontation could have gone two ways. 1) Ron and Ginny try to quickly break up Harry and Hermione by trying to convince Harry that Hermione is evil, a Potions Princess, and she is using him because she wants to see him dead before the end of the Tournament. 2) Ron marches up to Harry and Hermione as they enter the room, calls Harry a traitor for stealing the woman he fancied. Ron telling Harry that Harry should have known Ron fancied Hermione. Ginny coming and basically doing the same, yelling at Hermione about stealing her boyfriend. (Yes, she would call Harry her boyfriend). Then an argument ensues, Ron pulls his wand, same results as what happened in story.
I chose #1. Why? Because #2 seemed to be generic and seen in several stories. #1 may not be unique, but I've read no stories with that kind of argument.
Is Ginny a virgin? I don't know. She certainly wasn't saying anything. Whether or not she is, she's going to be doing a lot of damage control about those rumors.
As I'm writing more and more into this story, and as the story goes on, I've realized one thing. Ron's motives in this story are really… weird. How is he supposed to "woo" Hermione (to keep her away from Harry), if he – especially in this chapter – tried to paint her as a Potions Princess and the villain who put Harry's name in the Goblet, just because he wanted to convince Harry he is still his best friend, and Hermione is poisoning his mind against Ron?
I'm just going to say Ron is dumb, and Ginny, her mother and Dumbledore are just going to have to attempt to do damage control around his dunderheaded mistakes! Also, I think he's counting on Love Potions (and literally nobody noticing the fact for this to work, Hermione would have to forgive him and fall in love with him?) to succeed with his plan. Yeah, Ron is an idiot in this story. He has his moments… but most of the time he's an idiot.
Mild Spoilers ahead:
By the way, those bracelets? They're almost a Deus Ex Machina. The only reason they exist in this story, is because of a scene I wrote for a future chapter – before I wrote this chapter – that contradicts what Dobby said about "magics blocking him from understanding something that Ron says." I didn't want Dobby to overhear everything Ron might say, because it would be too easy to discover his secrets. Harry and Hermione are meant to find out the secret plots Ron and Ginny are hatching. Those bracelets exist solely because of a future scene in this story I wrote before this chapter existed. Otherwise Harry and Hermione couldn't eavesdrop on the conversation without them.
Next Chapter: The Opening Salvos. Harry and Hermione have their first public kiss, and McGonagall makes her opening move to reclaim her position as the Lioness of Hogwarts!