Haven .|. H. J. POTTER✔

Chapter twenty-four

As Christmas approached, the teachers found more and more ways to annoy the living daylight out of the students by giving them piles and piles of homework. Especially the seventh- and eighth-years were suffering under the amount of schoolwork since they had to prepare for their NEWTs. 

When Professor McGonagall gave them the second essay for that week, Dean Thomas finally spoke up, saying it was too much. It didn't help much. Professor McGonagall said they had the entirety of the Christmas holidays to finish the essay but ignored the students when they countered that the holidays were supposed to be for relaxation.

Alex was about the only teacher who took pity upon the students and spent the Defence Against the Dark Arts hours of the last week with therapy sessions - as Haven liked to call them - instead of working on more psychological aftereffects of different spells and curses.

Despite the busy schedule, Haven did not do much of the work. She barely finished essays - only for Transfiguration - and didn't pay as much attention in the classes as teachers hoped an student with her grades would. 

When Harry was getting dragged away from Haven by Ron and Hermione to do some homework, Haven would either go with them or with Theo and just sit in their presence, reading a book or doodling on a piece of parchment. Haven still hadn't found the motivation in her to actually study the subjects, and therefore utterly and completely confusing Hermione. 

The Friday afternoon after classes ended was thoroughly entertaining for Haven even though she sat with the working Golden Trio. 

"You really don't think it's a good idea to do the homework?" Ron asked Haven when he picked up Haven's paper plane from his shoulder and flew it back to her.

Haven had her wand raised and used it to guide the paper plane to her outstretched hand.

"No," Haven's simply answered. 

"Even after Professor Slughorn already called you out on poor grades?"

"Couples do start to look alike," Haven just commented.

Hermione scoffed but didn't say anything about it. Ron frowned for a moment before he realised what Haven meant and his eyes widened. Harry laughed, Haven caught his gleeful gaze. Haven sent him a wink right before Harry leaned back over his essay without being able to get his smile off his face.

"So what are you here for if not learning?" Ron then asked.

"What are you here for?" Haven countered as she sent her paper plane off flying again, her wand guiding it to hit Malfoy's cheek. The ferret boy just sent Haven a glare from the other side of the common room.

"I'm here for Mione," Ron said, gesturing at his girlfriend as if Haven didn't know who he meant. "I highly doubt you're here for her,"

Haven chuckled. "That's true. Nothing personal, though," Haven added the last part towards Hermione. The bushy-haired girl just gave her a small nod but with a smile hooked around the corners of her mouth.

"So what are you here for? Persuing Harry?"

"I mean, it's a nice bonus," Haven shrugged.

Harry fought the urge to look up at her again but didn't bother to hide his grin. He knew that if he met her eyes, she would wink at him again or make some other suggestive gesture that would only leave him with the reddest cheeks.

He was already nervous enough for later that night when he was going to take her out to the Christmas party in Slughorn's office.

"I thought it was obvious that I came here for housing," Haven finally answered Ron's question. "I couldn't keep living in the Leaky Cauldron - my money was running out - and I don't think your parents were waiting for another kid to take in,"