Hermione grinned and looked up. She got a wink from Cormac. "So tell me, Cormac. See much of your Uncle Tiberius these days?" Slughorn asked him and Cormac nodded his head.
"Yes, sir. In fact, I'm meant to go hunting with him and the Minister for Magic over holiday." Cormac smiled and looked around.
"Well, be sure to give them both my best. What about your uncle, Belby? Working on anything new?" He turned to the others. "For those of you who don't know, Marcus' uncle invented the Wolfsbane Potion."
As he spoke, Belby never once looked up from his plate. "Dunno. He and me dad don't get on. Probably because Dad thinks potions are rubbish. Says the only potion worth having is a stiff one at the end of the-" Slughorn cut him off and turned to Hermione.
"And you, Miss Granger? What is it your family does in the Muggle world?" Hermione looked up.
"My parents are dentists. They tend to people's teeth." Slughorn nodded and moved closer to her.
"Fascinating. And is that considered a dangerous profession?" He asked her and Hermione shook her head.
"No. Though, a boy named Robbie Fenwick did bite my father once. Needed ten stitches." As Slughorn nodded, the door groaned and everyone turned.
"Miss Weasley! Come in, come in." Ginny walked in and Harry looked over to Hermione. He wondered where his sister was.
----
Olivia laid in Draco bed. Draco had his arms wrapped around Olivia, as she slept he kept an eye out. Seeing as she didn't have the shirt the Weasley twins made her on. Her stomach was on display for anyone who walked into the door.
Draco knew that Olivia was scared, he was too. This was never meant to happen, but it did and he wasn't going to leave her. If soulmates existed, then he knew she was his. He couldn't see himself with anyone else.
While he was deep in thought, the door opened and in walked Snape.
----
"Sorry, I'm not ordinarily late-" She faltered and looked around with her eyes red. She was uncharacteristically flustered.
"No matter. You'll be just in time for dessert. That is, if Belby leaves you any." As Ginny moved to her seat. Hermione whispered to Harry.
"Look at her eyes. They've been fighting again. Her and Dean." Harry nodded and then stood as Ginny reaches the table. He was the only one. Hermione noticed and eyed him with amusement as he sat.
"What?"
"Nothing." As Hermione smiled, she lightly stroked the crystal hourglass with a finger.
----
Something shifted in the room and Olivia woke up. She was meet with a seething father and her boyfriend pinned to the wall. Olivia sat up and her hair became white. "Dad! Stop!"
Snape didn't even turn to her as she got out of bed. "Liv, don't." Olivia didn't listen to Draco as she pulled down her shirt to stretch it over her bulging stomach.
"When did this happen?" Snape growled out and Olivia took a deep breath. "I want an answer know!"
"Well, um," Olivia was white as a sheet, "you see, it was five months ago." She trailed off and Snape whipped back to Draco. Her whole body was shaking, she knew that a panic attack was just around the corner.
"She was 15!" He growled and Draco bite his lip. Olivia knew that he couldn't hurt Draco, if he did he would die. "You took away her life!" Olivia started to think of what she could do, because she knew that her father would make sure she couldn't see Draco.
Olivia looked up and grabbed her wand off of the table. She pointed it at the back of Snape's head. She never wanted to hurt her own father. She had caused him so much pain the past years. She thought at this point that he wouldn't want to see her. That was mistake number one.
"Obliviate."
----
The sand having run out with the evening. Slughorn said his goodbyes to everyone. "Thank you, one and all, for a most stimulating evening. We'll have to do it again."
Slughorn closed the door and turned. He sent a floor lamp wobbling and he caught it. He he did he saw Harry standing there. "Oh. Potter."
"Sorry, sir, I was just admiring your hourglass." Harry lied and Slughorn bought it with out a second thought.
"Ah, yes. A most intriguing object. The sands run in accordance to the quality of the conversation. When it is stimulating, the sands run slow. When it is not."
"I think I'll be going."
"Nonsense. You have nothing to fear, m'boy. As for some of your classmates, well, let's just say, they're unlikely to make the shelf."
Slughorn stepped to a makeshift bar and begins to constructing a drink. "The shelf, sir?" Slughorn gestured to the photographs seen earlier, now ranged like a menagerie atop a low bookcase. Once again, Lily Potter and Regulus Black were up front.
"Anyone who aspires to be anyone hopes to end up here. Then again, you are already someone aren't you, Harry?" Harry shrugged and turned back to Slughorn.
"I don't really know how to answer that, sir."
"Your mother was modest too. Your father not so much. As you can see, he did not make the shelf." Slughorn smiled genially and turned back to his drink. He used a pair of tongs to drop ice into his glass.
----
Snape fell to the floor and Draco looked at her with wides eyes. Olivia bite her lip and hugged herself. "He won't remember me." She muttered and her heart shattered into a million pieces.
She knew what she had to do. Draco didn't deserve everything that she brought with her. All the baggage she carried. He deserved to live his life.
This was mistake number 2. "You won't either."
She Obliviated Draco and walked out of the Slytherin common room. She ran to her dorm and curled up into a ball. Luna walked over to her and sat next to her.
They didn't say anything, just sat there as Olivia cried.
----
"Did Voldemort ever make the shelf, sir?" Slughorn stiffened with his back to Harry. His hand trembled and the ice slipped from the tongs. Harry noticed this. "You knew him, didn't you, sir? Tom Riddle. You were his teacher."
"Mr. Riddle had many teachers while here at Hogwarts." Harry nodded, but Slughorn didn't turn to him.
"What was he like?" Harry could see the vein in Slughorn's temple pulsating. Fearing he may have overstepped. "I'm sorry, sir. Forgive me. He killed my parents, you see." Harry stopped and frowned. Slughorn turned and studied Harry. He nodded.
"Of course. It's only natural that you should want to know more. I'm afraid I must disappoint you, Harry. When I first met young Mr. Riddle, he was simply a quiet, albeit brilliant, boy committed to becoming a first-rate wizard. Not unlike the others I've known. In fact, not unlike you. If the monster existed, it was buried deep within."
----
Ron entered the Hall, eyes lowered, knuckles taped for Quidditch, flexing his fingers anxiously as he made for the Gryffindor table. Neville passed going the other way. "Good luck, eh, Ron?"
Ron nodded shortly and then Seamus comes up on his side. He whispered into his ear conspiratorially. "Counting on you, Ron. I've two Galleons on Gryffindor."
As Seamus peeled off, Ron cuts his eyes toward the Slytherin table, where the Quidditch team sits together. One Slytherin jutted his chin toward Ron and muttered something. Draco was sitting next to Blaise and Pansy.
Olivia was miserably looking, she sat at her table not eating anything.
A few turned to him sniggering. Ron averted his eyes and almost ran into Cormac, who eyed him with disdain as he passed.
Frowning, Ron dropped down opposite Harry and Hermione. Harry eyed him briefly, knowingly and pushed a plate across. Ron took a fork, poked at it glumly.
"So. How was it?" Hermione continued to read the Prophet, unaware of Ron's mood.
"How was what?" Hermione asked him as Olivia stood up and walked over to them.
"Your dinner party." Ron asked mockingly as Olivia sat next to Hermione. She slide closer to her hiding behind the paper.
"Dead boring. Though I think Harry enjoyed dessert." Harry's eyes shifted to find Hermione smiling faintly from behind the Prophet. "Ol' Sluggy's having a Christmas do, you know. And we're meant to bring someone."
"I expect you'll be going with McLaggen. Isn't he a member of the Slug Club?" Hermione looked at Olivia with wide eyes as she wrote something down.
"Actually, I was going to ask you." Hermione replied to Ron as she wrote something down. Olivia gave her a water smile.
"Really?" Ron looked at the paper with surprise. Hermione set the paper down and hugged the crying Ravenclaw. Ron and Harry were surprised by this.
"Really. But seeing as you have such a distaste for the idea-" Lavender walked passed and eyed Ron.
"Good luck today, Ron! I know you'll be brilliant!" Ron smiled feebly and looked back down at his plate. Hermione stared daggers at the girl.
"I'm resigning. After today's match. McLaggen can have my spot." Hearing this, Hermione turned back. Harry caught her eyes and extended a shaking hand to indicate Ron's mental state.
"Have it your way. Juice?" Hermione blinked in surprise by Harry's callousness. Ron was surprised as well and mildly put out.
"Sure." As Harry poured, Luna arrived at the table wearing a hat that resembled a real lion.
"Hello, everyone. You look dreadful, Ron." Ron nodded grimly and lifted his glass. Luna and Olivia turned to Harry.
"Is that why you just put something in his cup. Is it a tonic?" The two Ravenclaw girls asked. The tiny vial of Felix Felicis glinted in Harry's palm.
"Don't drink that, Ron!" But Ron's frozen in mid-sip, looking at Harry's palm too. Quickly, he gulped down the rest. "You could be expelled for that."
"Dunno what you're talking about." Harry pocketed the vial and winked at Luna. Ron rose.
"C'mon, Harry. We've got a game to win."
Hermione took Olivia's hand and the two ran off. Before they left, Olivia turned and looked at her father. He didn't even notice her, she knew what she had done.
Olivia saw as his eyes fell on to her. Something in his eyes made her tear up, he knew something was wrong. Hermione turned to Olivia and pulled her into a hug.
----
"I don't want the to remember me, but I the same time I do." Olivia cried as she leaned on Hermione.
"Well, I'll tell you one thing. Ron called it." The made Olivia let out a small laugh. "I will help you out Olivia. You are family after all." Olivia smiled to the red headed girl. "You can stay with my parents and me over the summer. And I know for a fact that by next year, everyone will be begging to watch that small child." Olivia let out a laugh and smiled.
"Thank you, Hermione. Really." Hermione smiled and took the girls hand and pulled her out of the Gryffindor common room.
"What's the gender, Liv?" Olivia smiled and rubbed her stomach.
"It's a-"
----
Instantly, Slytherin snatched the Quaffle and rushes in mass toward Gryffindor's end. They weaved and passed with wicked skill, culminating in a vicious, slicing a shot on goal.
Just when it appeared it will clear the hoop, Ron streaked out of nowhere and sends the Quaffle screaming in the opposite direction. Ginny paused on her broom and looked at her brother with a stunned look. "What's gotten into him?" She glanced up at Harry, who was circling high above.
All he did was grin at her. Dean streaked passed her. "Ginny! Let's go!" Instantly, she rolled backward.
She jetted off and raced down her fellow Chasers. Flying in spread formation, Dean on the far wing, started the Quaffle "up the line" until it landed in Ginny's hand.
Pitching herself into a wide slide to avoid a pair of whistling bludgers. She leaned recklessly off her broom and whipped the Quaffle through the goal untouched.
As the crowd screamed, Harry eyed the Gryffindor section, where Luna's lion hat roared. Lavender clapped for Ron. What he didn't understand was that Hermione and Olivia weren't there.
----
The room was teeming with students celebrating Gryffindor's victory. It felt like Mardi Gras or a mosh pit or a riot. And Ron was right smack in the middle of it.
"Weasley! Weasley! Weasley!" Harry took his backslaps on the periphery and smiled as he sipped a Butterbeer and enjoyed Ron's turn in the spotlight.
"Ron seems to be enjoying himself." Hermione pointed out and the three looked at him.
"Yep. Apparently it's his lucky day." Olivia joked and Hermione shook her head.
"You shouldn't have done it, Harry." Hermione huffed and Olivia smirked from next to her.
"Yeah. I suppose I could've just used, I dunno a Confundus charm?" Hermione was caught in her little act.
"That was different. It was tryouts. This was an actual match-" She stopped as Harry dangled the vial. The seal of wax was unbroken and the bottle was full.
"You didn't put it in?" He shook his head. "Ron only thought you did?" He nodded and she popped him playfully on the arm.
Thats when whistling and catcalls arose. They turned to see what the commotion was about. In the middle of the room was Ron and Lavender.
In a clinch. Kissing. Harry stared and blinked, before turning back to no one. His eyes shifted and tracked Hermione as she bumped through the crowd toward the portrait hole.
Harry left the roar of the party for the quiet of the corridor. Ahead, a door stood ajar and chirping could be heard.
Hermione sat atop a desk and a small ring of twittering birds circled her head. The birds changed color as they orbit, from sunny yellow to a dark, angry scarlet. "Charms spell. Just practicing."
"Ah. Well, they're really good." Harry nodded as Hermione studied the wand in her hands.
"How does it feel, Harry? When you see Dean with Ginny?" He looked away from her. "I know, Harry. You're my best friend. I see how you look at her." The door busted wide and Ron rushed in. He pulled a giggling Lavender my the hand. They stopped and took inventory.
"Oops. I think this room's taken." As Lavender pulled Ron out, he cuts his voice low to Harry.
"What's with the birds?" Before Harry could reply, Hermione rose and pointed her wand.
"Oppugno!" Instantly the birds raced like angry red bullets toward Ron. He fled and slammed the door shut.
As the birds hit the door, they exploded softly into small feather clouds. Hermione covered her face and sobbed. Harry went over to her, hesitantly, then tentatively draped his arm over her.
As she turned her face into his chest and he pulled her close. Watching as the last scarlet feather drifted to the floor, joining the pool already there. "It feels like this."
----
Olivia bite her lip and paced around outside the Gryffindor common room. Hermione walked over to her and patted her on the back. Ron was off with Lavender.
Harry walked up and was surprised to see Olivia. "Liv." He took a good look at her and frowned. "Whats wrong?"
Olivia gulped and took in a shaky breath. "Can we talk." She looked over to Hermione. "Alone." Harry nodded and took her hand.
The walked up the astronomy tower. Once they were there Olivia started to pace again. "You can't be mad." Harry looked at her with furrowed eyebrows.
"Ok."
"I'm-" Olivia groaned and her eyes filled with tears. "Harry, I'm pregnant. It's Draco's and I'm about five months." Olivia broke down in tears and Harry pulled her into his arms. She cried into his chest. "I Obliviated my father and Draco." She sobbed and he held her tighter.
"I'll always be there to help Liv. I'm not going to leave you, if thats what you thought was going to happen." Olivia let out a loud sob. "I love you."
"I love you too."
----
"Snape." Dumbledore greeted as Snape started to pace. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Who is the Metamorphmagus girl?" He asked as he stopped pacing and stood in front of Dumbledore's desk. Dumbledore nodded and sighed.
"I thought she might do something like this." Dumbledore said shortly and Snape snarled.
"That does not answer my question."
"Yes, you know her. She is someone of importance to you. That is all I can say, it is up to her to fix your memories."
----
Tinsel decked the banisters and mistletoe drooped from the ceiling. As Ron and Harry make their way down the crowded corridor, they passed a birdcage. Ron walked with a new air of confidence, not exactly strutting, but close.
"Look, I can't help it if she's got her knickers in a twist. What Lav and I have -- well, let's just say there was no stopping it. It's chemical. Will it last? Who knows? Point is, I'm a free agent." Harry sighed and wondered how his sister was doing with Hermione.
----
Olivia trailed Hermione through the stacks. "He's at perfect liberty to kiss whomever he likes. I really couldn't care less. Was I under the impression that he and I would be attending Slughorn's Christmas party together? Yes. Of course, now, given the circumstances, I've had to make other arrangements."
"Have you?" Olivia asked Hermione and she nodded.
"Yes. Why?" Hermione looked over to Olivia, who was a little pale.
"I just thought, you know, since neither one of us can take who we'd really like... maybe we'd go together. As friends." Hermione stopped walking and turned to Olivia.
"Why didn't I think of that?" Olivia shrugged as she picked at one of her nails.
"I don't believe I'm going anyway, Hermione. So who are you taking?" Olivia asked as she took a deep breath. Her stomach cramped and her face twisted.
"Um... it's a surprise. Besides, it's you we need to worry about. And you can't pick just anyone. See that girl over there. That's Romilda Vane. Rumor has it she's trying to slip Harry a love potion." Olivia lifted an eyebrow and looked at the girl.
"Really?"
"Hey! She's only interested in him because she thinks his's the Chosen One. You know that, right?" Olivia nodded her head.
"He's going with someone cool." Olivia told Hermione as she sat on a bench.
----
Luna Lovegood, decked out in a set of spangled sliver robes and Harry was in basic black. They made their way toward the strain of Christmas music, red lanterns lit their way. "I've never been to this part of the castle. At least not while awake. I sleepwalk, you see. It's why I wear shoes to bed."
----
The birdcage glimmered dully in the gray moonlight streaming through a window. Within, the two birds huddled quietly.
Draco moved down the corridor, eyes fixed oddly ahead. He looked pale in the moonlight. In his fist he gripped a green apple.
Draco approached and stopped, he turned to a wall and closed his eyes. He felt like he was missing some thing, someone. He couldn't put his finger on it.
Dozens of towering shelves, dust-strewn and listened like dominos. The place was cluttered with all matter of strange objects. Draco appeared and his legs pushed him on, wending his way through the narrow passages.
Draco walked directly towards a tapestry. He stared at the solid mass before him.
Reaching out, he took the fringe of the tapestry covering it and tugged it. The tapestry shivered like water to the floor.
A cabinet, identical to the one in Borgin & Burkes. Draco ran a hand over the glossy finish, it covered his fingers in dust. Glancing around, he spied a bust of a woman wearing a tiara.
He removed the silk scarf hanging from her porcelain neck and gently wiped the dust away from the cabinet. Bringing the apple up, he opened the cabinet and placed it within.
He shut it and closed his eyes as he muttered and incantation. He reached out and opened it. The apple was gone, he closed the cabinet again. He waited longer this time. Finally, he opened it again and removed the apple.
He rotated it on his hand and saw that someone had taken a bite out of it.
----
A camera popped and revealed Harry smiling with Slughorn before a photographer. The ceiling and walls were draped with hangings of emerald, crimson and gold, so the room felt like a tent or the inside of a gift box. It was loud and packed with people.
Olivia huffed as Hermione pulled her along.
"Thank you, Adrian!" He turned to Harry and quietly whispered. "One of mine. Class of '78. I had hoped for more out of him, but at least the pictures are in focus."
Slughorn suddenly stopped and looked around. "Oh my! Excuse me, Harry. I must greet the new Minister of Magical Transportation. Class of '67." He went to go, but stopped. "Mingle, m'boy! Mingle! We're all friends here. And we run the world."
Harry watched Slughorn make a beeline across the room, along the way nodding to the twins, who have apparently came with each other.
"Drink?" Harry turned to find Neville standing with a tray.
"Neville?" Harry asked and Neville nodded.
"I didn't make the cut for the Slug Club. It's okay. He's got Belby handing out towels in the loo."