Harriet Potter 1

Back to school

There was no need for words between them, but they had shared them anyway.

"I'll miss you Harriet."

"Go back to your dragons, Charlie."

Sirius had pressed a scratchy kiss to her cheek and promised to owl.

Harriet was relieved to be back at Hogwarts and start teaching DA lessons. They just needed a room big enough that couldn't be found...

As they ate breakfast, Ron groaned as he stabbed a finger at his timetable "We have double potions tomorrow!"

Sweet Merlin! There was no way she could go to potions with their last occlumency lesson hanging unresolved between them. Occlumency was important, after all. Perhaps she could convince him to continue their lessons? She remembered the sight of his face waxen with rage. It wouldn't be easy.

"And today we have Defence Against the Dark Arts" Hermione added, in a tone that somehow managed to sound like a warning.

Harriet gritted her teeth. It was going to be a long day. For a moment she struggled to remember why she had been so excited to return to Hogwarts.

As if on cue,  Angelina came over and pointed an accusing finger at Harriet. "Potter! McGonnagall intervened and the quidditch team has been reformed, but we're on thin ice, no thanks to you. So you better keep your mouth shut in Umbridge's class."

Harriet was suddenly hyper aware of Fred sitting across from her.

"And you two as well!" Angelina said pointing her finger at Fred and George.

"Who, us?" Fred said with a winning smile. Angelina rolled her eyes in response. Harriet was surprised that Angelina and Fred still seemed to be on friendly terms despite their recent break up. Well, that would certainly make quidditch practice easier.

"And it's high time we found a new keeper. I want the whole team to attend the tryouts."

Beside her, Ron spluttered on his pumpkin juice while Harriet, Fred and George nodded their assent.

Angelina turned away and exited the hall with Katie Bell.

From across the hall, Malfoy's blazing blue glare caught her attention. Slytherin brat!

Harriet narrowed her gaze at him in return.
The edge of his lips twisted into a mocking sneer.

"Well Harriet, what do you think?" Hermione asked.

Luckily, Ron jumped in "oh that will never work. There will never be enough room to do it in the Shrieking Shack."

Do what exactly? Harriet wondered.

She pictured herself in the Shrieking Shack with Malfoy. Mmmm no reason why that couldn't work. But she'd have to show him the-

"Harriet?" Hermione said again.

"Er, Ron's right" she replied quickly.

"Told you so!" Ron crowed.

Hermione sighed deeply.

"Come on we'd better get going or we'll be late for charms" Harriet said, breaking through the discussion.

——————————————

That night in the common room, Harriet sunk lower into her armchair, but it was too late.

Angelina was making a beeline for her.

"Potter! Why couldn't you just keep your damn mouth shut in her class? Now you won't be able to attend keeper tryouts. Maybe I should arrange seeker tryouts too and cut our losses early."

Harriet did her best to look apologetic while zoning out of Angelina's tirade. Her mind went back to her plan for later that evening.
Her heart raced and she wasn't sure if it was with fear or excitement. Maybe both.

"Are you even listening to me Potter?"

Harriet nodded vigorously.

Across from her Ron cringed in sympathy while Hermione had the gall to look smug.

Across the common room there was a loud bang! and through the smoke Harriet could just make out the sight of two red heads of hair.

Harriet used the moment of distraction to slip away to the dormitory and get ready. She would have to thank the twins later.