knickers in a twist

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Top!Harry

Bottom!Draco

Author: technicolourbeat ( on ao3) 

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An unexpected heat wave hits Hogwarts early in April, and it's a nightmare.

When the heat had initially begun to roll in, it hadn't been so bad. Generally tolerable, Harry had managed to get by with the use of cooling charms. But it soon became evident that the heat had no plans of leaving, or diminishing. No, in fact it had risen exponentially in temperature, leaving cooling charms useless and an entire student body and staff suffering.

At this point, people were getting desperate. Quidditch games and practices were cancelled by Madam Pomfrey's orders due to the influx of players in the hospital wing for dehydration or sunstroke. The news had gutted Harry initially. While he and the other eighth years were prohibited from participating in house competitions this year, the new quidditch ban had fallen over their usual games during free periods as well. It had proven to be a good distraction initially in the year, before becoming a general habit and mode of entertainment for Harry. It hadn't hurt much either that it allowed for all that so-called inter-house unity McGonagall had been so adamant on lately.

In addition, any outdoor classes were cut a whole ten minutes shorter and any students attending were advised to wear light clothing and to stay properly hydrated throughout the class period. That rule, Harry doesn't mind so much. He loves being able to leave his tie undone or to have his collar open, and he loves the extra time given for free periods even moreso.

But it still doesn't compare to the unbearable heat that Harry currently finds himself griping over. The Great Hall is one of the few places in Hogwarts that is seemingly unaffected by the simmering weather, but there is still an indubitable warmth that blankets the room like a sheet fresh out of the dryer.

Harry takes a sip of his water, forgoing the usual juice, and relishing the cold and refreshing feeling that washes over him. It had been advised to him and Ron by Hermione to lay off the sugary drinks, so as to better stay hydrated. It still didn't stop Harry or Ron from sneaking the occasional glass of pumpkin juice at dinner, but Hermione had been kind enough to act as though she hadn't seen them.

Breakfast is a much more muted affair than usual, and Harry knows he has the heat to blame. All of the eighth years are sitting in relative quietness, preferring to focus on eating rather than exhaust their already dwindling energy. It really was awful how lazy the heat made Harry feel.

Harry watches Ron spear his fork into a piece of sausage. "Why is this happening now? I swear, Hogwarts has never had this kind of problem before," Ron mutters. He still doesn't eat the sausage and Harry thinks the heat might have melted even Ron's appetite.

"The castle is damaged," Hermione says with a sigh. She places a finger on her book to keep her place before flicking a glance up to Ron. "Usually, the castle's built-in charms would prevent us from feeling any extreme weather changes. Unfortunately, not all of the damage from the battle has been completely fixed. I think there would be several years before Hogwarts is back in tip top shape."

Ron finally lifts the sausage to his mouth before dropping it back down. "Wow. My girlfriend is so bloody brilliant."

Hermione smiles softly at him before shaking her head and returning to her book. Ron merely continues to stare at her, expression dreamy. Harry rolls his eyes. Fantastic, the heat has melted not only his appetite, but his brain as well.

Harry is about to ask Hermione about how she knows this, but stops as he hears soft giggles from the end of the table. His head turns to see Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini, the only eighth years not rendered to a pile of near-sludge by the heat. Everyone around them looks downright miserable while they cackle on in glee, and honestly, Harry thinks no one should be so happy in such terrible weather.

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