Chapter 4Notes:
I've made some edits to earlier chapters so if you read them before 18.9 I recommend going back or at least skimming :)
Chapter Text
Harry spent the last week of the holiday thinking about Malfoy's odd behaviour and having a few shared intimate moments with Ginny. They struggled to find time to be alone, but once they did, their time was usually spent snogging or discussing past events. Apparently the rumour Harry had heard of Dean and Ginny dating was just that. In reality Ginny had turned Dean down and in his embarrassment, he had told his friends that she had said yes. The rumour had spread from there and Dean had come to apologize for the misunderstanding.
But what annoyed Harry was the fact neither Ron nor Hermione seemed to share his curiosity about Malfoy.
"Harry, we both agree it's fishy" Hermione said impatiently, looking up from her transfiguration textbook.
"But there could be a million different explanations for it, and we shouldn't jump to conclusions." She continued.
"Yeah mate, Draco already owns a bunch of stuff from there, maybe he just wanted one of them repaired before school starts." Ron said, as he was straightening the tail twigs of his worn broomstick.
""Still, with his dad in Azkaban… wouldn't he want revenge?" Harry said
"Well what can he do?" Ron said lazily.
"Well… I've been thinking… Since his dad's a death eater, what if he replaced him" Harry said grimly.
Ron erupted in laughter and snorted a few times before calming down.
"Malfoy? Please… he might be a prick but he's still sixteen. I don't think You-Know-Who would let him join."
"I don't think he's gone that far Harry… I mean I don't like him either but that's quite a leap." Hermione said, almost scared of the thought.
"Well I still feel like he's up to no good, and I'll make sure to keep an eye on him" Harry said, standing up from the bed he was sitting in and making his way downstairs.
"Ah, Harry!" Mr. Weasley "Good, I wanted to talk to you about the security arrangements for the Hogwarts journey, there will be some Aurors on lookout to make sure everything goes well."
"You'd better start getting ready, won't be long until we leave. I don't want any last minute scrambling like usual." Mr. Weasley said with a serious tone.
The departure to the station next morning did in fact go smoother than usual. They apparated near the King's Cross station, into a small hidden alleyway designed for it. A few Auror lookout's made sure arrivals were safe.
The party, now flanked by a few dark suited Aurors who didn't say much, marched into the station.
"Come one now, through the barrier." Mrs. Weasley hurried them.
A moment later Harry himself stood on platform nine and three-quarters, staring at the scarlet Hogwarts Express which bellowed steam onto a large crowd.
The others joined him quick enough, and a murmur seemed to go through the crowd of people there. He could see some taking quick looks at him and murmuring. Harry straightened his back and scanned the crowd with a steady gaze.
"Harry dear? Can I talk to you and Ginny for just a second?" Mrs. Weasley said kindly, Harry's heart started beating a bit faster.
Harry, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley took a few steps away from the group. Mrs. Weasley looked over the two with a gentle gaze.
"I'd like to start by saying I know the two of you are old enough to make your own decisions." Mrs. Weasley started. And Harry felt like burrowing into the ground.
Mrs. Weasley continued with a small smile. "And though I suppose you thought you were being terribly clever. You haven't always been so aware of your surroundings…"
"Mum..." Ginny started, her cheeks flushing.
"You're both nearly adults now, with all the feelings and impulses that come with that. It's perfectly natural, but it's important to be sensible about these things."
Harry felt his face warm but didn't look away. He'd faced down Voldemort, he could handle this conversation.
Harry ran a hand through his hair, a slight grin tugging at his lips despite everything. "Right, well, I think we've got that covered."
Mrs. Weasley raised an eyebrow at his tone. "And treating my daughter with respect means..."
"Mrs. Weasley," Harry interrupted gently, his green eyes steady and serious now, "Ginny means everything to me. You don't need to worry about that."
"Good," Mrs. Weasley said with a smile. "I suppose that's that covered then. Have a lovely time at Hogwarts and stay safe. I'll see you both during the Christmas holidays."
With that they both joined the group again.
"What was that about?" Ron questioned.
"Oh nothing, why don't we go find a good compartment before it gets too full" Harry said and started approaching the Express.
"We can't Harry" Hermione said apologetically. "Ron and I have prefect duties."
"Oh yeah…" Harry said, his eyes jumped to Ginny, possibilities coming to mind. "Too bad."
Harry and the others made their way into the Express, which started slowly lurching forward. As it picked up speed, Harry waved to Mrs and Mr Weasley. Finally as they turned a corner and they disappeared from view, Harry turned to face the hallway.
Ron and Hermione had already disappeared to their prefect's carriage and Harry was left standing next to Ginny. Ginny gave Harry a hungry look and bit her lip, before grabbing her trunk and heading off to a free compartment.
"Alone at last," she said, sliding the door shut behind her and drawing the blinds with a decisive snap.
"Ginny..." Harry started, but she was already moving toward him, her eyes bright with mischief.
"What? We've got at least twenty minutes before anyone comes looking for us." She settled beside him on the seat, closer than strictly necessary. "Besides, after that lovely chat with Mum, I think we deserve some privacy."
Ginny moved from beside Harry into his lap, grinding down on him as she settled.
Harry felt his pulse quicken as she leaned against him. "Your mother means well."
"Oh, I know. But did you see her face when you said I meant everything to you?" Ginny tilted her head to look up at him. "I thought she might cry right there."
"Well, it's true." Harry's voice was quieter now, more serious. His hand wrapped around her thin waist, pulling her even closer to him.
"I know it is." Her free hand came up to touch his cheek. "That's what makes this so..."
She didn't finish the sentence. Instead, she kissed him, deep and hard. Ginny let out a soft moan that went straight through him. Their tongues twisted together and hands roamed, exploring each other.
Harry's hand found her tight yet shapely ass and grabbed on tight, enjoying the softness. Ginny moaned and leaned even harder into him.
They were so absorbed in each other that the knock on the compartment door made them both jump.
"Er... Harry? Are you in there?" came Neville's uncertain voice.
Harry and Ginny looked at each other, both slightly breathless. Ginny's lips were swollen, her hair mussed, and Harry was fairly certain he looked no better.
"Just a minute," Harry called, running his hands through his hair in a futile attempt to flatten it while Ginny quickly smoothed her robes.
She opened the door to reveal Neville and Luna standing in the corridor, Neville looking rather embarrassed while Luna gazed dreamily at something over their heads.
"Sorry," Neville said, his cheeks pink. "We were looking for somewhere to sit. The other compartments are all full."
"Of course," Harry said, gesturing them in. "Come in."
Luna drifted in first, her large eyes taking in the slightly rumpled state of the seats with interest. "Oh, were you two snogging? How lovely. I read in The Quibbler that couples who engage in regular displays of affection have better luck with Nargles."
Neville turned an even deeper shade of red. "Luna..."
"What? It's perfectly natural. Although," she continued, settling herself by the window, "you might want to be careful. Mars is particularly bright tonight, and when it's in conjunction with Venus... well, things can get rather intense."
"Right," Harry said faintly, while Ginny bit back a laugh.
"Actually," Luna went on, pressing her nose to the window, "I think it might be the comet. Daddy says they're omens of great change. And I can see its glow seeping into you Harry."
Harry stood quiet, confused yet somewhat shocked by what Luna had said.
Neville sat down heavily, clearly wishing he could disappear. "How was your summer, Harry?"
"It was good. I've learned a lot." Harry responded. He felt like he could see the lack of confidence beaming out of Neville.
"You're looking better Neville, is that a new wand?" Harry said. He had noticed Neville clutching it close.
"Oh yeah, thanks for noticing. Gran got it for me after what happened at the Department of Mysteries. Got it just before Ollivander disappeared…"
The lights in the compartment seemed to dim slightly for a moment. It was strange, Harry felt like he instinctively knew just what to say.
"Are you going to continue the D.A. lessons this year Harry?" Luna asked, her wide eyes staring into him.
"We'll see, I'm not sure there's much of a use anymore." Harry responded
"Well I quite liked them, it was nice having friends."
An uncomfortable silence settled into the compartment for a few seconds.
"You'll still have friends Luna, we're here after all." Harry said with a kind tone.
"Oh yippee! that's nice. I do like you too Harry" Luna said with a dreamy smile.
Ginny's eyes lingered on Luna thoughtfully, a small smile playing at her lips.
About an half an hour later, the compartment door slid open again. This time with Ron and Hermione, both looking slightly frazzled.
"Bloody hell, the first years get worse every year," Ron said, throwing himself down beside Neville. "One of them hexed his own trunk and it started sprouting tentacles."
"Language, Ronald," Hermione said automatically, but she looked tired. "How was your journey so far?"
"Educational," Ginny said with a perfectly straight face.
"Wish the lunch trolley would show up soon, I'm starving." Ron said with a sigh.
"You know Malfoy's not doing prefect duty, he's just sitting in his compartment with some other slytherin's." Hermione added.
Harry sat up a bit straighter. It was strange, Malfoy wouldn't normally pass up an opportunity to show off his power as a prefect.
"Wonder why he's not out there." Harry said quietly.
"Dunno" added Ron, trying to dig out a chocolate frog from his bag.
Before anyone could respond, there was another knock on the door. This time it was a small, nervous-looking girl Harry didn't recognize.
"Excuse me," the girl squeaked, "but Professor Slughorn would like to see Harry Potter in compartment C."
She handed Harry a small note, on it an invite written in beautiful cursive:
Harry, I would be delighted if you would join me for a bite of lunch in compartment C. Sincerely, Professor H.E.F. Slughorn
"Who's Professor Slughorn?" Ron asked, mouth half full of chocolate.
"Don't speak with your mouth full!" Hermione chided him. "But I don't know him either, new teacher I guess?"
"Yeah, I met him briefly, I wonder what he wants though." Harry said, rising from his seat.
"Want us to come with you?" Ron offered, though he looked more interested in what remained of his chocolate frog.
"No, it's alright. I'll be back soon." Harry glanced at Ginny, who gave him an encouraging nod.
Harry started making his way to compartment C, as he walked people would stare at him, their faces glued to the glass of the compartments. Harry even saw a group of lower year girls quickly look away and giggle when he caught them staring.
When Harry reached compartment C, it was clear he wasn't Slughorn's only invitee. Although judging by his enthusiasm, Harry was clearly the most awaited.
The compartment had clearly been magically altered. It had been expanded enough to fit twenty people. While rich tapestries hung from the walls, and the seats had been transfigured into comfortable armchairs arranged around a polished table laden with delicacies.
"Harry, my boy! How wonderful!" Slughorn heaved himself up from his chair. "Come in, come in! So good to see you again, dear boy!"
Harry stepped inside, taking in the other occupants. The compartment was quite full - he recognized Cormac McLaggen from Gryffindor, looking pleased with himself, and there was Blaise Zabini from Slytherin. There were several other students he didn't know as well, but his attention was immediately drawn to a striking girl with flowing red hair.
"Do you know everyone?" Slughorn asked. "This is Cormac McLaggen, also from Gryffindor. Maybe you've come across each other? - No?
"and Blaise Zabini here is in your year of course…"
"And this over here is Marcus Belby. I don't know whether–?"
Slughorn quickly introduced some of the remaining people in the carriage, a group of about fifteen upper year students, most of whom Harry had only seen in passing.
"And this lovely young lady is Susan Bones from Hufflepuff." Slughorn said, gesturing towards the striking redhead who Harry had only spoken to a few times.
Susan stood gracefully, her warm hazel eyes meeting Harry's as she offered her hand. Harry couldn't help but notice how her robes seemed to strain across her remarkably full figure, and the small beauty mark beneath her left eye that only added to her gentle attractiveness.
"Good to see you again, Harry," She said shyly, cheeks slightly pink. "Though we haven't ever really gotten a chance to talk properly."
"No, we haven't," Harry replied with his most charming smile, finding himself slipping easily into the social rhythm. "I'm glad we finally get the opportunity."
"Better late than never," Susan said with a gentle laugh, her hazel eyes sparkling with warmth. Her chest responding hypnotically to the movement.
Slughorn paused for a second to look between the two.
"Now then," Slughorn beamed, "Harry, please, take a seat. Help yourself to anything you fancy. We're here so I can get to know all of you a bit better."
"I was just mentioning how I had the pleasure to teach Marcus's uncle Damocles" Slughorn said cheerily, his eyes roaming around the room with a hint of guile. "Outstanding wizard, his Order of Merlin is well-deserved. Do you see much of your uncle, Marcus?"
Belby, who had just taken a large bite of pheasant, hastily tried to answer, only to start choking on his food.
"Anapneo" Slughorn said with a calm tone and the food in Belby's throat disappeared.
"No, not really." Belby said, still with a few tears in his eyes.
"Well yes, I imagine he is quite busy-" Slughorn started
"No, I mean, him and my dad don't really get along…"Belby said.
In that instant, Slughorn gave him a cold smile and turned to others.
Harry decided he had had enough of watching the professor and turned to Susan, who was sitting next to him.
"Poor Marcus," Susan murmured quietly, her voice filled with genuine sympathy. "That looked painful."
Harry nodded, though he found himself less bothered by Slughorn's tactics than he might have been in the past. "Slughorn certainly doesn't waste time figuring out who's useful to him."
"That's rather calculating," Susan observed, though without judgment. There was something in her tone that suggested she understood the harsh realities of the world better than most their age.
"Maybe. But at least he's honest about it, in his way." Harry shrugged, surprising himself with his pragmatic response. "And it's not like the connections don't help people. If someone deserves opportunities, does it really matter why he's providing them?"
Susan looked at him with new interest, as if seeing a different side of him. "That's... very mature of you. I suppose after everything that's happened..." She trailed off, her expression momentarily darkening. "Well, idealism can be a luxury some of us can't afford anymore."
Harry caught the pain that flickered across her features and felt a pang of understanding. "I heard about your aunt. I'm sorry, Susan. She was an incredible woman."
"Thank you," Susan said softly, her eyes glistening for a moment before she composed herself. "She always said the world needed people willing to do what's right, even when it's difficult. I think she would have understood your point."
Susan glanced around the compartment, then leaned slightly closer to Harry, her voice dropping to almost a whisper. "You're not at all what I expected, you know."
Harry felt a thrill spread through him because of her proximity, catching a hint of her subtle floral perfume. "What did you expect?"
"I don't know," she said, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Someone more... arrogant, I suppose. The way some people talk about you." Her hand briefly touched his arm as she spoke. "But you're actually quite... normal. In a good way."
Harry found himself studying her face as she spoke, noting the intelligence in her hazel eyes and the way she seemed to see him. "It's nice to be understood for once."
Their moment of connection was interrupted when Cormac, who had been watching their intimate conversation with growing irritation, cleared his throat loudly.
"Now, you, Cormac," Slughorn suddenly addressed him, "I happen to know you see a lot of your Uncle Tiberius, because he has a rather splendid picture of the two of you hunting nogtails in, I think, Norfolk?"
Cormac's chest puffed out importantly, clearly pleased to have the spotlight back. "Oh, yeah, that was fun, that was. We went with Bertie Higgs and Rufus Scrimgeour, this was before he became Minister, obviously."
"Ah, you know Bertie and Rufus too?" beamed Slughorn, now offering around a small tray of pies. Somehow, Belby was missed out entirely.
Seizing his moment, Cormac turned toward Susan with renewed confidence. "Actually, Susan, I was meaning to tell you about some of the other dangerous hunts I've been on. Takes real skill and courage."
"I'm sure it does," Susan replied politely, though Harry could see her trying to be diplomatic rather than genuinely interested.
"Perhaps you'd like to hear about the time we tracked a wounded hippogriff through the Scottish Highlands?" Cormac continued, completely missing her lukewarm response. "It was a week-long hunt. Uncle Tiberius said I showed exceptional natural talent."
Harry watched with growing amusement as Cormac launched into what was clearly a well-rehearsed story, gesturing dramatically while constantly glancing to see if Susan was impressed.
"That must have been quite dangerous," Harry said when Cormac paused for breath, smoothly inserting himself back into the conversation. "Though I imagine hunting wounded creatures isn't exactly sporting."
"It wasn't about sport," Cormac said defensively, his face beginning to redden. "The hippogriff was terrorizing local villages."
"I'm sure it was." Harry added with a hint of irritation. Bad memories from third year coming up.
"I've always thought it's more admirable to heal creatures than hunt them." Susan added from Harry's side.
Cormac's frustration was becoming increasingly obvious. "Well, not everyone can afford to be squeamish about these things, Susan. Sometimes you need people willing to do the dangerous work."
The barely concealed jealousy in his voice was making the atmosphere tense. Harry noticed Susan shift uncomfortably.
"Speaking of dangerous work," Slughorn interjected smoothly, clearly sensing the need to steer the conversation away from Cormac's growing hostility, "Harry, my boy, I've been dying to ask you about some of the extraordinary things I've been reading in the papers. 'The Chosen One' they're calling you now, aren't they?"
Harry felt every eye in the compartment turn to him, including Susan's admiring gaze. He decided to use the moment to his advantage. "The papers do tend to dramatize things, Professor. Though I suppose some of what they write has basis in fact."
"Modest as always!" Slughorn chuckled, clearly delighted. "But surely you can't deny the remarkable events at the Department of Mysteries? Facing You-Know-Who himself and living to tell the tale, again!"
Harry glanced around the room, noting the mix of fascination and respect on various faces, particularly Susan's. "It wasn't just me, Professor. I had friends with me - brave friends who were willing to risk everything to do what was right."
"But you led them there, didn't you?" Slughorn pressed, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Showed remarkable leadership for someone so young."
"I suppose when people you care about are in danger, you don't really think about leadership," Harry said, his voice carrying just the right note of humble heroism. "You just do what needs to be done."
Susan was watching him with clear admiration, her hazel eyes bright with respect.
"Most of Potter's 'heroics' can be attributed to extraordinary luck, nothing more." Zabini said suddenly from across the compartment, his voice coolly dismissive.
The compartment went quiet, tension crackling in the air.
"Luck?" Slughorn's eyebrows rose sharply. "My dear boy, luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. What Harry has accomplished requires far more than mere chance - it requires skill, courage, and remarkable magical ability."
Zabini shrugged elegantly. "If you say so, Professor."
Harry felt Susan's hand brush his again, a gesture of support that didn't go unnoticed by Cormac, whose jaw tightened visibly.
The gathering continued for another fifteen minutes, with Slughorn skillfully navigating between topics while making mental notes about each student's potential usefulness. Finally, he clapped his hands together.
"Well, my dears, I think that's quite enough for today. Thank you all for joining me, I do hope we'll have many more opportunities to chat throughout the year."
As students began to rise and make their departures, Harry turned to Susan.
"This was really nice," he said quietly. "I hope we can talk more once we get to Hogwarts."
Susan's cheeks flushed pink, and she smiled shyly. "I'd like that very much, Harry. Perhaps... perhaps we could study together sometime?"
"I'd like that," Harry replied, and was rewarded with a brilliant smile that made something warm flutter in his chest.
He made his way out of the compartment, leaving behind Cormac's thunderous expression and Susan's lingering gaze.
Harry had barely made it three carriages toward his compartment when he nearly collided with Lavender Brown, who was hurrying in the opposite direction with her arms full of packages from the lunch trolley.
"Oh! Harry!" she exclaimed breathlessly, steadying herself against the wall. Her strawberry blonde hair had come slightly loose from its ribbon, framing her face prettily, and her robes had shifted in a way that emphasized her notably curvaceous figure. "I didn't see you there!"
"Sorry, Lavender," Harry said, instinctively reaching out to steady some of her packages. "Let me help with those."
"You're such a gentleman," she said with a bright smile, letting their hands brush as he helped reorganize her sweets.
"I was just getting some chocolate frogs for the girls. We're having the most ridiculous argument about which Quidditch players are the most handsome."
"Sounds like a serious debate," Harry said, amused.
"Oh, it is!" Lavender laughed, her eyes lighting up. "Parvati insists it's Viktor Krum because of his whole brooding thing, but honestly, I think brooding is so last year. And Romilda is going on about some Irish Seeker, but really..." She stepped closer, looking him up and down with obvious appreciation. "I've always preferred the homegrown talent."
Harry felt his cheeks warm slightly at her obvious meaning. "Have you now?"
"Mmhmm," she said, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger.
"There's something about a good Seeker, you know? All that athleticism and bravery... Plus there's something rather exciting about flying with someone famous." She bit her lower lip playfully. "Don't you think?"
"I wouldn't know," Harry said with a grin. "Never met any famous boys."
Lavender giggled, the sound bright and infectious.
"Oh, you're being modest! That's adorable. Though I have to say, you've gotten quite fit over the summer, haven't you?" Her eyes lingered on his shoulders appreciatively.
"All that training must be doing wonderful things for you."
Before Harry could figure out how to respond to her increasingly bold flirtation, she had shifted her packages to one arm and reached out to briefly touch his bicep.
"My goodness, you have been working out," she said with obvious delight. "No wonder half the girls in our year have been talking about you."
"They have?" Harry asked, genuinely surprised.
"Oh yes! Haven't you noticed? Though I suppose boys never notice these things." She giggled again, tossing her hair.
"Well, I should get back to the girls before they send out a search party. But Harry?" She leaned closer, her perfume sweet and overwhelming. "Save me a dance at the first party this year, won't you?"
Before Harry could respond, she had continued on her way with an extra sway to her hips, calling over her shoulder, "See you at the feast, Harry! Try not to get into too much trouble before then!"
Shaking his head with a bemused smile, Harry continued. He was almost back at his compartment when he caught sight of Blaise Zabini walking purposefully down the corridor in the opposite direction, heading toward the back of the train where the Slytherins typically congregated.
Something about Zabini's focused expression made Harry pause. The Slytherin moved with obvious intent, as if he had somewhere specific to be. Harry watched as Zabini get further and further, heading deeper into what Harry knew was Malfoy's territory.
An idea began to form in Harry's mind - a dangerous, probably stupid idea. But if Malfoy really was up to something…
Harry glanced back toward his own compartment, where his friends were waiting, then looked again in the direction Zabini had gone.
The train swayed gently as it continued its journey north, and Harry Potter made a decision.