Innocence Lost

To Y/N's delight, snow was swirling against the icy windows once more; Christmas was approaching fast.

Hagrid had already single-handedly delivered the usual twelve Christmas trees for the Great Hall; garlands of holly and tinsel had been twisted around the bannisters of the stairs; everlasting candles glowed from inside the helmets of suits of armour and great bunches of mistletoe had been hung at intervals along the corridors.

Y/N wasn't sure how he felt about these. On the one hand, the few times him and Hermione passed a batch whilst alone, the next few moments were bliss as she shoved him under it.

But the rest of the time, groups of girls would gather under them, giggling and staring pointedly at Harry as they passed, batting their eyelashes.

'Can't believe you've bypassed this again,' muttered Harry, as it happened for the fourth time that day. 'First the whispers last year, and now this.'

'Being terrifying and also in a relationship with a woman equally as terrifying has many perks, Mr Potter.'

Fortunately, courtesy of their time spent with the Marauder's map, it became easier and easier for them to avoid the patches of these as they moved around the castle.

Or for Hermione and Y/N to find one alone.

Ron, who might once have found the necessity of these detours a cause for jealousy rather than hilarity, simply roared with laughter about it all.

Whilst Y/N preferred this Ron over the angsty and moody one, it did now mean that they were constantly shadowed by Lavender Brown.

She was okay, in small doses, but the understand the rest of the quartet had with each other was amplified whenever she was around.

Harry, Y/N and Hermione were perfectly capable of having full conversations about the new couple completely wordlessly, even whilst they stood only ten feet away.

Y/N did feel as though he was being harsh. She could be worse, they at least weren't making out in every loose corner, but Lavender constantly bombarded them with questions about upcoming schoolwork or past adventures they'd been on. And whilst it was simple curiosity, Y/N was beginning to miss the comfortable silence that the four of them had managed to fall into.

In fact, the three of them regularly found themselves detaching themselves and finding quiet corners to chat in whenever the new couple went off on a gabbled conversation about something. They were happy for them, so long as they weren't nearby.

During one such escape, when Lavender had asked Ron to recount his saves in the last quidditch match of the previous year, and he had responded with gusto, the three of them made their way down to the library to finish off a charms essay.

Or at least, Y/N and Hermione were. Harry was flicking idly through his potions book.

'We're going to have to talk him out of it at some point!' whispered Harry, as Madam Pince stalked past one of the nearby aisles.

'Why are we?' asked Y/N. 'He's happy, let him be happy. Just far away from us.'

'You're just bothered because she keeps asking us about what happened at the Ministry,' said Hermione.

This wasn't untrue, Lavender had asked each of them a couple of times over about this, each dodging the question when she did.

'Well yeah, that isn't nice,' said Harry. 'But you two weren't like this when you started dating! Look, I want to be happy for him but you both find it annoying as well, right?'

'Yeah, but there isn't much we can do about it, Harry,' said Y/N. 'She's new to our group, she doesn't have that dynamic, and the one she knows best is Ron. Besides, we were like that, but when we first met and weren't really friends. By the time we were dating, we were already established with you two.'

'You were?' asked Harry.

'Have you forgotten Hermione coming with us the night of that wizard duel against Malfoy, specifically because you were dragging me along?'

'Someone had to save you all,' said Hermione.

'And I think I did a fantastic job of it,' said Y/N proudly, and Hermione glared at him before giggling.

'You're probably used to us as well,' added Y/N, as Harry rolled his eyes. 'Ron and Lavender are just doing their own version of that; you've just seen ours more.'

'Besides, you have bigger things to be worrying about,' added Hermione.

'I do?' asked Harry.

'Yes, you need to figure out who you're taking to Slughorn's party. I went into the girls' bathroom just before I came in here and there were about a dozen girls in there, including that Romilda Vane, trying to decide how to slip you a love potion. They're all hoping they're going to get you to take them, and they all seem to have bought Fred and George's love potions, which I'm afraid to say probably work-'

'They definitely do, I told them the recipe,' said Y/N, without looking up.

'Thanks a lot, mate,' said Harry dully.

'I hardly knew they were going to be used on you! I just wanted the twins to be successful.'

'Why didn't you confiscate them anyway?' demanded Harry.

'They didn't have the potions with them in the bathroom,' said Hermione scornfully. 'They were just discussing tactics. As I doubt whether even the "Half-Blood Prince"-' she gave the book a nasty look '-could dream up an antidote for a dozen different love potions at once, I'd just invite someone to go with you, that'll stop all the others thinking they've still got a chance. It's tomorrow night, they're getting desperate.'

'There isn't anyone I want to invite,' mumbled Harry.

'Then take some as a friend like we are,' said Y/N. 'You don't have to go with them! Just someone who you think will enjoy their time there.'

'Well, just be careful what you drink, because Romilda Vane looked like she meant business,' said Hermione grimly.

She hitched up the long roll of parchment on which she was writing her Charms essay and continued to scratch away with her quill, glancing over at Y/N's to make sure their revision notes were aligning.

'Hang on a moment,' Harry said slowly. 'I thought Filch had banned anything bought at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes?'

'And when has anyone ever paid attention to what Filch has banned?' asked Hermione, still concentrating on her essay.

'But I thought all the owls were being searched. So how come these girls are able to bring love potions into school?'

'Fred and George send them disguised as perfumes and cough potions,' said Hermione. 'It's part of their Owl Order Service.'

'You know a lot about it.'

Both Y/N and Hermione gave him the kind of nasty look she had just given his copy of Advanced Potion-Making.

'Harry... do you really think Hermione is smuggling love potions into the school?'

'It was all on the back of the bottles they showed Ginny and me in the summer,' she said coldly. 'I don't go around putting potions in people's drinks, or pretending to, either.'

Y/N laughed appreciatively.

'Yeah, well, never mind that,' said Harry quickly. 'And I wasn't accusing her of anything, my point is, Filch is being fooled, isn't he? These girls are getting stuff into the school disguised as something else! So why couldn't Malfoy have brought the necklace into the school-?'

Y/N sighed.

'Oh, Harry, not that again.'

'Come on, why not?' demanded Harry.

'Look,' sighed Hermione, 'Secrecy Sensors detect jinxes, curses, and concealment charms, don't they? Imagine an item that does the same as Y/N's sense. They're used to find Dark Magic and Dark objects. They'd have picked up a powerful curse, like the one on that necklace, within seconds. But something that's just been put in the wrong bottle wouldn't register, and anyway, love potions aren't Dark or dangerous-'

'Easy for you to say,' muttered Harry.

'-so it would be down to Filch to realize it wasn't a cough potion, and he's not a very good wizard, I doubt he can tell one potion from-'

Hermione stopped dead; the other two had heard it as well. Somebody had moved close behind them among the dark bookshelves. They waited, and a moment later the vulturelike countenance of Madam Pince appeared around the corner, her sunken cheeks, her skin like parchment, and her long-hooked nose illuminated unflatteringly by the lamp she was carrying.

'The library is now closed,' she said. 'Mind you return anything you have borrowed to the correct- what have you been doing to that book, you depraved boy?'

'It isn't the library's, it's mine!' said Harry hastily, snatching his copy of Advanced Potion-Making off the table as she lunged at it with a clawlike hand.

'Despoiled!' she hissed. 'Desecrated! Befouled!'

'It's just a book that's been written on!' said Harry, tugging it out of her grip.

She looked as though she might have a seizure; Hermione and Y/N hastily packed their things, and Y/N grabbed Harry's arm, dragging him away from the librarian.

'She'll ban you from the library if you're not careful. Why did you have to bring that stupid book?' asked Hermione.

'It's not my fault she's barking mad, Hermione. Or d'you think she overheard you being rude about Filch? I've always thought there might be something going on between them.'

'To be fair, I said the same thing a few years ago...' said Y/N fairly.

Enjoying the fact that they could speak normally again, they made their way along the deserted, lamp-lit corridors back to the common room, arguing about whether or not Filch and Madam Pince were secretly in love with each other.

'Baubles,' said Harry to the Fat Lady, this being the new, festive password.

'Same to you,' said the Fat Lady with a roguish grin, and she swung forward to admit them.

'Hi, Harry!' said Romilda Vane, the moment he had climbed through the portrait hole. 'Fancy a gillywater?'

Y/N snorted with laughter as Hermione gave Harry a "what-did-I-tell-you" look. The couple moving off towards the fire.

'No thanks,' said Harry quickly. 'I don't like it much.'

'Well, take these anyway,' said Romilda, thrusting a box into his hands. 'Chocolate Cauldrons, they've got fire-whisky in them. My gran sent them to me, but I don't like them.'

'Oh, right, thanks a lot,' said Harry. 'Er- I'm just going over here with...'

He hurried after Y/N and Hermione, his voice tailing away feebly.

'Told you,' said Hermione succinctly as the three of them settled themselves near the fire. 'Sooner you ask someone, sooner they'll all leave you alone and you can get back to living your life.'

'Reckon you can check these over?' asked Harry, holding the box out towards Y/N.

'Like a secrecy sensor, Harry,' said Y/N, tapping his head. 'I couldn't tell you whether that was fire-whisky or love potion without eating one. But I can tell you what my gut says, and yours says the same. Just don't eat them. Throw them away or something.'

It didn't take long before another one or two girls made their way over, trying to slip Harry a batch of sweets or offer him a drink, and Harry, seemingly wanting to cut his losses, politely refused the third attempt, stating that he was tired, and made his way off up to bed.

However, much to the couple's surprise, Ron joined them around ten minutes later.

'Done having your face torn off?' asked Y/N, as he looked at the areas that were redder than the others.

'She does get a bit into it,' said Ron slightly sheepishly, though his voice spoke to the fact that he didn't really mind.

'A bit?' said Hermione, raising an eyebrow.

'Look, I'm not here about that,' said Ron. 'I wanted some advice, for tomorrow night.'

'Why?' said Y/N. 'You seem to be doing fine as is. I mean you're dating her now, hardly like you need to spend tomorrow trying to "close the deal" shall we say.'

'Yeah, but it's still technically our first date,' said Ron. 'And besides, Slughorn doesn't really know or like me.'

'And? Look mate, she's clearly into you, has been for years now, you've finally done something about it and she's all over you, or she did something about it, whatever. Go with her, be yourself, have a good time and enjoy the evening, Slughorn will mostly leave you alone and you two can just have a nice time. No dancing, nothing like the Yule Ball, just mingling and chatting.'

Ron took a deep breath and nodded.

'Alright... I'll try, don't be surprised if I come looking for you part way through the evening though.'

'Bother Harry first,' said Hermione. 'This is also a date for us, see if he can help you first. If not, then come to us.'

They chatted with Ron for a short while longer before he also made his departure. The two of them ascended to their shared dormitory not long after, Y/N moving over and stroking Eternus' head lightly as Hermione moved over to her wardrobe to change.

Eternus was back to full size now, their mane of feathers back to the vibrant fiery orange Y/N had grown used to, and he'd even tested the transportation ability a few days prior to spend some time with Minerva. However, Y/N had decided to give himself a break on the tomb until after Christmas.

The wound his chest had still been slightly sore until recently. Whilst neither had been bad, the two in almost the same spot had caused some minor lasting damage, and between classes and Lavender, he'd been a bit distracted. Upon their return to the castle however, it would be time to face the third trial, leaving the second until his mother could join him.

Hermione's words snapped him out of his musings.

'Think I should have my hair like I did at the Yule Ball tomorrow?' she asked, checking over a few of the bottles in her wardrobe. 'I've still got this hair potion left, and I don't know when I'll get to use it again.'

'You know you'll never hear me complaining, you looked incredible, but are you sure it's worth the effort? You said yourself it was a lot.'

'Yeah, and I'd probably have to get you to help me with it if I want to be ready on time, but if you're willing, I'd like to look my best, you know?'

'It's only Slughorn, hardly need to get all fancy.'

'Yeah... well. I want to look my best for you,' said Hermione, her cheeks going slightly pink. 'I think it'll be a night to remember, so you're going to help me, okay?'

'Okay okay!' said Y/N laughing slightly, 'Why ask if you weren't going to give me the choice?'

'Because I value your opinion!' said Hermione, replacing the potion and turning to face him, the slight blush still visible on her cheeks. 'I'm just not always going to listen to it.'

The two of them settled themselves into the bed and quickly drifted off to sleep, rising the next day and proceeding throughout their classes, including a rather grueling one set by Minerva, which involved performing human Transfiguration.

Whilst Y/N and Hermione managed this quickly, they were, as per usual, the only ones to do so, and they luckily skipped out on the homework for that evening, though Minerva did call them back after the class.

'What's up mum?' asked Y/N, approaching her desk, Hermione in tow, as the rest of the class filtered out.

Minerva waited until they'd all left before responding.

'I was wondering what your plans were for Christmas. I know that Mr Weasley and Mr Potter have no intention of remaining at the castle.'

'Well, the Weasleys did offer the Burrow to us as well, but I don't think we'd really decided yet.'

'Then allow me to influence your decision,' said Minerva, lowering her voice despite the empty classroom. 'The Headmaster has specifically requested that you head back to the Burrow over Christmas, he thinks Voldemort may attempt another Azkaban breakout over the holidays, and wants people ready just in case.'

Y/N sighed.

'Never a dull moment, you alright with that love?' he asked Hermione who nodded.

'We'd only be here otherwise, may as well if you're needed.'

'Then, if you could let Mrs Weasley know for us, I'd appreciate it,' said Y/N and Minerva nodded.

'Albus will be in touch with you once you leave, he's got constant guards watching the prison, and I hardly need to tell you this Y/N but do be careful. Dementors are no laughing matter, and they're just the guards.'

'I'll be careful mum, and come visit us on Christmas day, won't you? I'd hate to miss you.'

'Of course I will,' said Minerva, giving a small smile. 'Now go on, or you'll be late.'

The two of them made their way out of the classroom, where they bumped into Harry waiting for them.

'Lavender?' asked Hermione and Harry grimaced.

'I think her and Ron seem quite nice together,' said a dreamy voice from behind them. Y/N didn't even need to turn around to know who that was.

'They're not bad together, Luna, just Lavender can be a bit annoying by herself, you know?'

'Oh yes, I understand that,' said Luna. 'People think the same thing about me.'

'Well good for them, they're wrong,' said Y/N.

'Hey Luna, do you want to go to Slughorn's party with me?'

The question took all three of them aback, Y/N, Hermione and Luna all turned to stare at Harry who went slightly red.

'Slughorn's party? With you?' asked Luna.

'Yeah,' said Harry. 'We're supposed to bring guests, so I thought you might like, I mean,' He seemed to be trying to make his intentions perfectly clear. 'I mean, just as friends, you know. But if you don't want to-'

'Oh, no, I'd love to go with you as friends!' said Luna, beaming as they had never seen her beam before. 'Nobody's ever asked me to a party before, as a friend! Is that why you dyed your eyebrow, for the party? Should I do mine too?'

Y/N turned to look at Harry and had to fight down a laugh as he realised one of his eyebrows was still banana yellow thanks to the class.

Y/N waved his hand and the eyebrow went back to normal.

'Thanks,' said Harry. 'No no, that was left over from class. So, I'll meet you in the entrance hall at eight o'clock then?'

Luna beamed and nodded, prancing away off up the corridor.

'That was really nice of you, Harry,' beamed Hermione.

'Yeah, it actually was,' said Y/N. 'Good on your mate.'

The news that Harry was taking Luna to the party spread relatively quickly throughout the day. Though most of this was at Y/N and Hermione's encouragement. After all, asking a date to the party to get the other girls off his back wouldn't do Harry any favours if they didn't know that he had a date.

And by that evening's meal, most people seemed to be aware of who Harry was taking.

Y/N made his way down to the meal alone, Hermione was up in their dorm getting her hair ready, she'd practically demanded Y/N to go downstairs, eat and then come back up to help her.

And also, to bring her some food with him.

Y/N sat himself down opposite Harry and Ron, but a few moments later, Lavender and Parvati emerged. Lavender squeezed herself in between Harry and Ron, throwing her arms around the latter as she did so. Parvati looked curiously at Y/N and he gestured for her to take the empty seat next to him.

'Thanks! Didn't know if Hermione was on her way.'

'Nah, she's getting ready for tonight, I'll be taking her some food up once I'm done.'

'I bet it'll be amazing,' said Parvati glumly.

'I dunno, it's a lot of pompous rich folks rubbing elbows together. Only taking those two to try and help encourage their relationship and... well,' said Y/N, and the two of them looked pointedly over at Lavender and Ron who were practically doting on each other.

'How are you, anyway, Parvati?' he continued. 'We heard about your parents trying to take you out of school.'

'I managed to talk them out of it for the time being,' said Parvati. 'That Katie thing really freaked them out, but as there hasn't been anything since they've relaxed a bit. I dropped your name too actually.'

'My name?' asked Y/N.

'Well yeah, I mean they know you taught us last year in the D.A. They've seen your name all over the paper, and almost everyone knows you helped save Katie from whatever that curse was. And plus, now my best friend is dating one of your close friends. They figured as long as you're around, I'm probably okay.'

'As true as that is, not sure I approve of you using my name to keep them off your back.'

'Well, it's either that or they drag me and Padma out of here kicking and screaming.'

'Okay, yeah, fair enough then, glad I could help,' laughed Y/N.

He finished his meal quickly and then scooping up a few piles of whatever he could grab, he bid the others farewell and that he'd see most of them later, before weaving his way back up to the Fat Lady's portrait, the Common Room, and then their shared dorm.

'Foods on the bedside table babe!' he called as he wandered in, hearing water running in the bathroom.

'Thanks! Can you come in here and give me a hand with this.'

Y/N nodded and stepped into the bathroom.

A thin layer of steam from the warm water hung in the air, the mirror in here remained clear as it was enchanted against misting up, but the entire atmosphere supported an extremely mellow and relaxing vibe. Especially when he saw Hermione.

Whilst a towel still covered her lower half, her top half was completely exposed, still damp slightly from her apparently shower, and she was holding her hair at an odd angle, smirking over her shoulder at him.

'If you're done staring, I need you to hold this.'

Y/N regathered himself and moved forwards, trying to keep his eyes on her hair and not let them wander too far.

'So, how is everyone?'

'Ron and Lavender are attached. Harry sick of it, Parvati was there as well though, she seems just as sick of it-'

And he recounted the conversation he'd had with her.

As he spoke, Hermione kept taking parts of her hair out of his hand and weaving them into plaits, before dousing her hands in the hair potion and running it through, the frizzy and bushy nature to her hair steadily fading away.

'I know you've spoken to them, but my parents are much the same,' she said, once he'd finished. 'They want me to be back with them unless I'm where you are. It works out for me because it means we get to spend Christmas together, but that's why I was never going home either way.' She nudged his arms up with her shoulders.

'Glad to know they trust me,' said Y/N, following her guidance and lifting her hair higher as she took another section of it off him.

'Well, they do. But also, they know you're the most likely to protect me. I mean you've already thrown yourself in dangers way for all of us, and they know you're good because I've told them all about you, so it's a mix of trust in you and trust in what you can do. Plait that bit for me, would you?' she held out a loose strand towards him.

Y/N did as she asked, thinking on what she said.

He supposed the Prophet had been selling itself for the last few months on how Y/N and Harry would be the ones to save them. It made sense that many of his classmates would trust him to do that.

The words of Emmeline came floating back into his mind.

'Gives people hope. Believing you and Potter are out there fighting encourages them.'

He hoped that was true, and not just to the parents of those within these walls, but for all those fighting now. He hoped just knowing that he was alive, pushed them to try harder.

'You're really good at this babe,' said Hermione happily, causing him to snap back in and glance down at the somehow perfectly done plait he'd managed.

'I'd be lying if I said I could recreate it,' laughed Y/N, 'but glad I could help. You need anything else?'

'No, I should be okay, and I think you need some time to think about something else before the party.' She stuck her tongue out playfully at him. 'Go get ready yourself, I'll be out shortly, then I can eat and we can head down.'

Y/N begrudgingly did as he was told and made his way back out into the bedroom, throwing on his dress robes and doing his best to look presentable, styling his hair and reassembling his jewellery collection.

'I'm coming out!' came Hermione's voice, 'No peeking till I'm ready.'

'Yeah yeah I got it,' said Y/N, turning his attention onto the phoenix, petting them gently as he heard Hermione rustling around behind him, after a few minutes he heard the creak of the bed springs and Hermione speak

'Okay, you can look now.'

It was hard not to make his jaw hit the floor.

She was the single most beautiful woman in the world to him. No one even came close, but when she looked like this... it reduced him to silence much as it had the first time around.

Her hair up once more in that beautiful, plaited bun, the blue dress cascading down her body and the small hints of make up to accentuate her features but not overpower them. Then that smile, and that look in her eyes.

'Come on now Y/N, you're going to make me blush if you keep looking at me like that,' she giggled. 'Come join me whilst I eat, you'll have plenty of time to look at the party.'

'Sometimes I wonder how you do it,' smirked Y/N. 'You were so shy all those years ago, and still are about so many things, and yet when it comes to teasing me, it's like someone different comes forward.'

'That's because I love you, silly, and people do crazy things when they're in love.'

It did feel odd, Hermione eating in their dormitory whilst the two of them were dressed the way that they were, but the happy conversation with twinges of flirting thrown in for good measure easily helped smother that feeling.

Then, finally, at 8 o clock, Y/N and Hermione made their way down through the castle, hand in hand, down towards Slughorn's office.

The sounds of laughter, music, and loud conversation drifted up the hall as they approached and the view once they stepped inside was staggering.

Slughorn had magically expanded his office to fit everyone who had been invited. The ceiling and walls had been draped with emerald, crimson, and gold hangings so that it looked as though they were all inside a vast tent.

The room was crowded and stuffy and bathed in the red light cast by an ornate golden lamp dangling from the centre of the ceiling in which real fairies were fluttering, each a brilliant speck of light. Loud singing accompanied by what sounded like mandolins issued from a distant corner; a haze of pipe smoke hung over several elderly warlocks deep in conversation, and a number of house elves were negotiating their way squeakily through the forest of knees, obscured by the heavy silver platters of food they were bearing so that they looked like little roving tables.

'Y/N and Hermione!' boomed Slughorn, weaving his way through the crowd towards them. 'I must say, you both look absolutely marvellous! Thank you so much for coming.'

'It was our pleasure Professor!' said Y/N brightly as Hermione nodded alongside him. 'Wouldn't want to miss this, especially after missing your lunches because of Quidditch Practice.'

'Well you did win so I suppose I shall let you off,' said Slughorn, waggling a finger at him. 'And you won quite handily as well. Even I must admit that, even if it was my old house you were beating. Do follow me! I have so many people I'd like you both to meet!' and turning, Slughorn forged onwards through the masses of people.

Hermione rolled her eyes at Y/N.

'It's just for a few minutes, come on' and leading the way, he pulled her through the crowd by the hand.

'I'd like for you both to meet Edward Worple,' said Slughorn, stopping alongside a small, stout, bespectacled man, 'an old student of mine, author of Blood Brothers: My Life Amongst the Vampires, and, of course, his friend Sanguini.'

Worple beamed around at them, shaking their hands in turn, Sanguini the vampire however, who was tall and emaciated with dark shadows under his eyes, merely nodded. He looked rather bored.

'I have of course heard all about you Mr L/N!' said Worple 'I was saying to Professor Slughorn only the other day, "Where is the biography of Harry Potter and Y/N L/N for which we have all been waiting" since your joint interview?'

'Please Mr Worple, you flatter me,' said Y/N, giving a polite laugh and a small bow. 'My life is not interesting enough to be placed to paper I assure you.'

'Just as modest as Horace described!' boomed Worple. 'But seriously-' his manner changed; it became suddenly businesslike. 'I would be delighted to write it myself. People are craving to know more about you both, dear boy, craving! If you were prepared to grant me a few interviews, say in four- or five-hour sessions, why, we could have the book finished within months. And all with very little effort on your part, I assure you, ask Sanguini here if it isn't quite, Sanguini, stay here!' added Worple, suddenly stern.

For the vampire had been edging toward a nearby group of girls, a rather hungry look in his eye.

'Here, have a pasty,' said Worple, seizing one from a passing elf and stuffing it into Sanguini's hand before turning his attention back to the duo.

'My dear boy, the gold you could make, you have no idea-'

'Mr Worple, as much as I appreciate that, don't you think we're a little early into my life to be discussing that? I'm hardly saying I have my best years ahead of me but I'm not even out of school yet.'

'But that's the magic of it my dear boy! We can build off it, people want the story now, but those who become fans will buy the later issues, detailing your later lives, we need only meet up every few years- Sanguini!'

Worple turned towards his companion who had almost abandoned pretence now and began wandering over towards two warlocks a short distance away.

Choosing this as his chance, Y/N pulled Hermione away into the crowd.

'You certainly know how to rub elbows,' she said, sounding slightly impressed, as the two of them weaved their way through the crowd.

'You mean I know how to keep the riff-raff happy?' replied Y/N. 'Honestly, a book about me, what nonsense.'

'Hey, I'd read it,' shrugged Hermione.

After a few moments, they came across a break in the gatherings of people where they saw a mane of red hair flash by.

At first thinking it was Ron, Y/N made to move them away, but he didn't see brown hair following it. In fact, he saw Dean, glancing around.

Taking a quick detour, Hermione simply happily following along behind him, the two of them moved over into one of the back corners where they found the culprit.

Ginny was pacing, her face the same colour as her hair, looking incredibly cross.

'Hey Gin,' said Y/N, moving over. 'What's up?'

Ginny moved to snap around, but seemed to relax the moment she heard who it was.

'Oh, thank god, it's you.'

'Something wrong?'

'No. Yes. I don't know. It's the same thing I told you before, I reach for a drink and he's just like "here let me" as if I can't reach two feet and grab it for myself! It's driving me mad! We got into a bit of a row over it, he's just trying to help and so on.'

Y/N couldn't say much, he didn't think either of them were in the right here, it felt like a silly thing to argue about, but knowing Ginny's history, he could understand why she'd hate it. And he didn't know enough about Dean to say either way.

'Look, the most you can do is try to talk to him, at least for now!' said Hermione. 'If it keeps happening then-'

'I have spoken to him!' said Ginny. 'Three or four times now, and he still just doesn't get it!'

Ginny sighed.

'Look, I don't want to ruin your date night, go on, I'll be okay, and catch up with you tomorrow yeah?'

Hermione and Y/N looked at each other. They didn't want to leave her, but there wasn't much else that they could do.

'You need anything and you come find us, yeah?' said Y/N.

'Of course, now go on.' And with a nod, the two of them drifted back off into the crowd.

Y/N wasn't particularly happy about leaving Ginny there like that, but it wasn't long before their next distraction of the evening appeared, in the shape of Harry and Luna.

'Hi!' said Harry. 'Has Slughorn introduced you to that Worple guy?'

'Oh god, don't even start,' muttered Y/N, gesturing the other three after him as he moved off, having spied the man in question glancing curiously across the crowd nearby. 'Trying to write a biography for both of us.'

'It's cause of that article,' said Harry. 'They think we're a duo now. He told me to ask you because he "lost you".'

'Yeah because of that vampire,' said Y/N darkly. 'What's he doing bringing them here surrounded by people without sating his bloodlust first.'

'I think he did to be fair, Y/N,' said Hermione. 'The reddish spots that form on the face weren't there, that's probably the only reason he didn't immediately go for one of those girls.'

'Weren't they? God I didn't pay enough attention in that class-'

'Have you seen Ron and Lavender?' asked Harry.

'Nope, they are invited, sent the names back to Slughorn days ago, have you?'

'Oh yeah, they're here,' said Harry grimly.

'For god's sake, prestigious event, countless wizarding legends, and those two can't stop kissing for twenty damn seconds,' snapped Y/N.

'They weren't as bad as they usually are, but still,' said Harry.

'They started off so well as well,' said Hermione, shaking her head. 'She seemed genuinely interested in him and they weren't making out at every turn. Now though...'

'It is rather unpleasant,' said Luna, matter-of-factly. 'It looks rather like they're trying to eat each other's face.'

'What are you all talking about?' said a voice as Ron emerged through the crowd, pulling Lavender by the hand.

'You two,' said Y/N.

Ron laughed as though he'd been joking.

'This party is really nice, isn't it? Very fancy.'

'That's because Slughorn likes the rich and famous,' said Y/N. 'You should be taking the time, making friends.'

'Why should I? You aren't.'

Y/N bit back the retort he wanted to throw. He was already famous after all. Ron however, got upset when the spotlight was shone on either Y/N or Harry and enjoyed being under it himself, now would be the perfect time to try and make that happen.

'Y/N my boy!' Boomed Slughorn, weaving his way through the crowd towards him, 'come, come, you must come and meet Mr Sin, such a wonderful man, known for his study of time and the magics behind it.'

Y/N glanced around, wondering why he'd been singled out and realised that Harry had slipped away, no doubt having spied the teacher's approach. With a sigh and a side look at Hermione who looked positively delighted at meeting Mr Sin, the two followed Slughorn.

Y/N could hardly complain. He met plenty of famous faces and with nothing more than the odd joke or a polite nod, they practically thought the world of him. It was interesting to think about how they no doubt would have seen him beforehand if they'd met the year prior.

But Hermione at least seemed to be enjoying it, meeting countless witches and wizards who she'd only read about previously, and who seemed to see her and Y/N in much the same light as she saw them.

'It's grounding in a way, you know?' she breathed. 'Tells me that what we're doing really matters, that we're making a difference.'

It wasn't until they were being whisked off to meet an ex-head of the law enforcement office, that they reconvened with any of their friends. Moving past a gabbling batch of witches, they passed Harry, Luna, and Professor Trelawney, the latter of whom was speaking quite animatedly to Harry as they did.

'-Of course, I have known for a very long time.' She was saying. 'The omens were never good, Harry. But why have you not returned to Divination? For you, of all people, the subject is of the utmost importance!'

'Ah, Sybill, we all think our subject's most important!' said Slughorn, having overheard the conversation and wheeled Y/N and Hermione alongside them all. 'But I don't think I've ever known such a natural at Potions!' he added, regarding Harry with a fond, if bloodshot, eye. 'Instinctive, you know- like his mother!'

'One of these days...' muttered Hermione

'I've only ever taught a few with this kind of ability, I can tell you that, Sybill,' continued Slughorn. 'Why even Severus-'

He stretched an arm out, and as though he'd pulled him through a portal, he seemed to scoop Snape out of the air, pulling him in alongside the gathered group. The ex-potions master did not look impressed.

'Stop skulking and come and join us, Severus!' hiccuped Slughorn happily. 'I was just talking about Harry's exceptional potion-making! Some credit must go to you, of course, you taught him for five years!'

Trapped, with Slughorn's arm around his shoulders, Snape looked down his hooked nose at Harry, his black eyes narrowed.

'Funny, I never had the impression that I managed to teach Potter anything at all.'

'Today,' whispered Y/N. 'It's happening today.'

'Well, then, it's natural ability!' shouted Slughorn. 'You should have seen what he gave me, first lesson, Draught of Living Death, never had a student produce finer on a first attempt, I don't think even you, Severus-'

'Really?' said Snape quietly, his eyes still boring into Harry, who seemed to shift slightly on the spot. Harry's new gift at potions may well have come back to bite him.

'Remind me what other subjects you're taking, Harry?' asked Slughorn.

'Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology.'

'All the subjects required, in short, for an Auror,' said Snape, with the faintest sneer.

'Yeah, well, that's what I'd like to do,' said Harry defiantly.

'And a great one you'll make too!' boomed Slughorn. 'How about you Y/N?'

'Same as Harry but with Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures thrown in,' said Y/N.

'So... healer?' asked Slughorn slowly.

'Teacher, actually,' said Y/N. 'I'd love to come back and teach here.'

'A fantastic idea!' called Slughorn, 'I'm sure you could teach many how to become fantastic wizards and witches!'

Y/N turned his eyes onto Snape but to his surprise, he said nothing, simply gave Y/N an appraising look. If even Snape approved of this career choice, perhaps it was the right one.

But he was snapped out of his musings as there came the sound of a scuffle behind them, and they turned to see Argus Filch, dragging Draco Malfoy by the ear towards them.

'Professor Slughorn,' wheezed Filch, his jowls aquiver and the maniacal light of mischief-detection in his bulging eyes, 'I discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party and to have been delayed in setting out. Did you issue him with an invitation?'

Malfoy pulled himself free of Filch's grip, looking furious.

'All right, I wasn't invited!' he said angrily. 'I was trying to gatecrash, happy?'

'No, I'm not!' said Filch, a statement at complete odds with the glee on his face. 'You're in trouble, you are! Didn't the headmaster say that nighttime prowling's out, unless you've got permission, didn't he, eh?'

'That's all right, Argus, that's all right,' said Slughorn, waving a hand. 'It's Christmas, and it's not a crime to want to come to a party. Just this once, we'll forget any punishment; you may stay, Draco.'

Filch's expression of outraged disappointment was perfectly predictable; but strangely enough, Malfoy looked almost equally unhappy?

Y/N pushed it out of his mind. Malfoy had no doubt been up to something else and had gotten caught. Now backed into a corner, he'd been expecting to just get sent away and it hadn't happened.

Plus, Y/N didn't particularly care about where he'd been or why he was there.

Filch turned and shuffled away, muttering under his breath; Malfoy composed his face into a smile and was thanking Slughorn for his generosity.

'It's nothing, nothing,' said Slughorn, waving away Malfoy's thanks. 'I did know your grandfather, after all.'

'He always spoke very highly of you, sir,' said Malfoy quickly. 'Said you were the best potion-maker he'd ever known.'

Y/N rolled his eyes. For a family that was very proud of who they were and how much status their name carried. They were very good at sucking up to people.

'I'd like a word with you, Draco,' said Snape suddenly.

'Oh, now, Severus,' said Slughorn, hiccupping again, 'it's Christmas, don't be too hard-'

'I'm his Head of House, and I shall decide how hard, or otherwise, to be,' said Snape curtly. 'Follow me, Draco.'

They left, Snape leading the way, Malfoy looking resentful.

Y/N turned his attention back to the rest of the conversation, then heard Harry say.

'I'll be back in a bit, bathroom.'

Before hurrying off.

'He's not going to the bathroom,' muttered Hermione.

'Nope, he's following them, but that's tomorrow's problem,' said Y/N.

Honestly, by the end of the night, Y/N had no room to complain about anything. And when he and Hermione finally left the office that evening, it was in a quiet and contended silence, having been thoroughly socialized out for the evening. He was just ready to get into bed and hold her close.

Though to his surprise, Hermione seemed to be in much the same mindset. She hurried steadily up the steps, all the way up to the Common Room, and then up to their dorm, where she promptly pushed him inside, closing the door behind her.

Before Y/N could think, her lips were against his. She pressed her body against him, pushing him backwards until the two of them collapsed onto the bed together, their arms and legs intertwining as she kissed him over and over.

After a few moments of this, she lifted up, waving her wand and causing her robes to slowly undo themselves, drifting steadily away across the room. She reached up, unclasped her bra, and allowed that to fall too.

'Hermione-' began Y/N, but he was interrupted as she placed a finger to his lips.

'The last couple of times we've made it here... I've teased you,' she said slowly, 'told you that you'd need to wait for the rest.'

Y/N nodded, his lips rather dry.

'Well... I'm done waiting... if you are.'

Y/N reached up, running a thumb gently along her cheek. Hermione pressed her face gently against his hand and beamed shyly at him.

'I'm done waiting, Hermione. I want this.'

'Then let's not keep each other in suspense.' and with a wave of her wand, the curtains drew around them.