Harry poked at his breakfast. Today was the day the other schools were arriving. Classes had been canceled since no one was expected to be able to concentrate on anything. There was also a last-minute dash by the army of house elves to get the castle in order. Tapestries were cleaned, paintings were straightened, and the suits of armor were given a shine. It was rather disconcerting to hear a hollow suit of armor giggle.
Aside from Hermione, everyone was buzzing with excitement. Harry couldn't join in either. Last time Fleur and Krum became friends after the war. Krum actually had a wicked sense of humor and got along wonderfully with George. Now that he thought about it, he had never seen Krum with a date. He arrived at the various gatherings alone, carefully avoided the approaching women, and seemed to gravitate to Harry, or George if he was there. It wasn't until later years that he was accompanied by an assistant. Harry couldn't remember his name, but he knew that the man had taken up residence with Krum.
Harry shook his head. They were roommates. How had he missed that? He looked over at George, trying to think if there were any signs he had missed with him. He didn't think so.
"I get to witness the first smile of the day." Lavender said cheerfully from beside him. "And here I was thinking I'd need to pull you into a closet to get you out of your funk."
"In that case." Harry scowled and dropped his voice to a grumble. "I'm grumpy."
"We do have a free day." Lavender leaned into his side. "Do you want to take a walk by the lake?"
An exacerbated groan from nearby caught their attention. Hermione rolled her eyes at them before going back to her homework. She wasn't exactly sitting close to them, but she was near enough to be present.
"Problem, Granger?" Harry sighed.
Hermione pointedly looked away.
"She's been like that all year." Lavender studied the bushy haired girl. "Do you know what's going on with her?"
"We've stopped talking." Harry shrugged.
He slipped a hand under the table and swirled his fingertips along the exposed patch of skin just above her knee. Lavender jumped and giggled.
"You were saying something about taking a walk?" Harry gave her a smoldering look.
She nodded. "Just need to grab my cloak. It's chilly out."
Harry stood up, he drew his wand, pointing it toward the door. "Accio Cloak."
A moment later a thick cloak flew into the room, zooming overhead. Harry caught it and handed it to Lavender.
"Thank you." Lavender cooed as she put it on.
"Mister Potter." McGonagall called. "Five points from Gryffindor for using magic outside of the classroom."
Hermione glared at him.
"Ten points to Gryffindor for perfect execution of an advanced spell." She continued. "Well done."
"Thank you, professor." Harry inclined his head.
He offered Lavender his arm. "Shall we?"
"We shall." Lavender giggled.
They strolled out of the castle and leisurely began their walk around the lake. Lavender stole a kiss or two as they walked. Harry slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her tight. He felt her breath catch.
"Are you ok?" Harry asked.
Lavender nodded.
"Lav." Harry stopped, turning her to face him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Her voice came out high and fast.
Harry arced an eyebrow at her.
"Fine." She huffed. Lavender looked away from him as her cheeks began to flush. "I've never done this before."
Harry tilted his head to the side.
"I know, I've heard the rumors too." Lavender rolled her eyes. "I'm a slag who can't keep her legs shut." She looked back at him. "I kissed a boy on the train my first year. He was older. The rumors started before we got to Hogwarts. He didn't say anything to stop them. By the end of the feast, I had snogged an entire cabin of fourth years." She sighed. "I couldn't fight it." She shrugged. "So, I decided to own it. I talk a big game, and I flirt a lot, but I've never done more than a kiss on the train in my first year."
Harry hugged her. He placed a kiss on her forehead. Thinking back when she snogged Ron the last time around it was messy. He had thought it was due to Ron not having any experience, now he knew it was because both of them were lacking.
"No rush." Harry held her close. "You can say you're one of my ladies. That should keep the dogs away from you."
"One of them?" Lavender playfully slapped his chest.
"I'm the Hogwarts Heartthrob." Harry gave her a cheesy grin. "Or so I'm told. It would be a disservice to the female population."
Lavender giggled. She stole a quick kiss.
"That was nice." Harry smiled at her.
He slipped his arm back around her waist as they continued their walk.
"What do people do on these walks?" Harry asked. "I know a broom closet isn't exactly comfortable, but it's warm."
"Been in many broom closets?" Lavender poked his side.
"A gentleman never tells." Harry looked away. "The lake is too cold for a swim; not like you can go skinny dipping with so many people around."
Lavender gasped. "Mister Potter."
"Miss Brown." Harry purred. "I guess we could set out a cloak on the ground. Still really exposed. Not to mention cold. Maybe two cloaks?"
"The trees would hide us from wondering eyes." Lavender motioned to the edge of the forest.
"No thank you." Harry shook his head. "I've seen what lives in there."
"Unicorns?" Lavender asked, her eyes shined up at him.
"And centaurs." Harry added. "Really big fucking spiders."
He paused. There was a colony of acromantula that were being held back by a single aging patriarch. Once he died, there was nothing stopping them from swarming the entire forest. Then the school. Considering how effective the wards had been in the past, they didn't fill him with confidence.
They had to go.
"Probably some Rouses as well." Harry added.
"Rouses?" Lavender asked.
"Rodents of unusual size." Harry replied.
Lavender shuddered. "I don't care for mice, or rats. Ferrets are fine though. They make excellent familiars."
"Oh?" Harry asked.
"They are wicked smart and fast too." Lavender continued. "Most weasels are. Feeding them can be an issue. They only eat meat, and you can't have bunnies anywhere near them."
"You know a lot about weasels." Harry smiled at her.
"I've always wanted a mink as a familiar." She sighed. "They are expensive."
"Are there any difference between magical ones and mundane?" Harry asked.
"Magical ones are smarter. They can change color too. Mostly just for cosmetic purposes." Lavender continued. "In the wild they use it as camouflage while hunting."
"Hm." Harry nodded.
"A girl can have more than one interest." Lavender shot him a look. "I find Divination fascinating. I know I don't have the sight, but it's fun. Reading tarot, palms, and casting bones isn't really about telling the future. Even the more complicated magics can't do that. Only seers have that ability. It's about reading the signs of the present to predict the future. You can learn a lot by knowing where you stand."
"Damn." Harry breathed out. "I might have to stop flirting with you and pay attention in class."
Lavender stuck her tongue out at him.
"Careful." Harry grinned at her. "That is a really cute tongue."
She blushed.
"Ready to head back inside?" Harry asked. "It's cold out here."
"One moment." Lavender pulled him to a stop.
She leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his lips. It was a step beyond chase but didn't go further. Harry was left slightly dazed as she stepped away. Lavender giggled as she ran back to the castle.
"Damn, she's adorable." Harry shook his head as he followed her.
The walk had lifted his spirits. By the time he got back into the Great Hall Lavender was already sitting with Parvati. They giggled when they saw him and went back to talking in quick, hushed whispered.
"Taking a ride on Lavender, eh?"
Harry turned to see a Hufflepuff leering nearby.
"Justin, right?" Harry asked.
The guy nodded. Harry moved closer to him, as to share a secret.
"If you talk about Lavender like that again I'll stuff your head so far up your ass you'll taste your molars." Harry whispered. "Spread the word. Yeah?"
Harry straightened up. He patted the frozen boy on the shoulder before walking away. Lavender looked up at him as he passed. He gave her a wink.