Chapter 77

Are you still sure you want to have that talk on your birthday, love?" Harry asked. "How about we make that for Saturday? Or tonight, and not ask our friends to visit until next Friday, and they can share your birthday?"

"Thank you, Harry, for being considerate," she smiled at him. "However, I too need time to think about how I'm going to share my life experiences with the two of you."

"Not next Saturday, then?" he asked.

She just shook her head with a smile on her face in reply.

Walking in, Harry spotted Neville sitting on the inside side of the Gryffindor table talking to Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas. Ron was sitting opposite with his back to the wall, just listening in but clearly eager to start eating.

When Harry approached, Ron spotted him first and backed off a bit, obviously remembering the last words Harry had said to him on the stairs.

Tapping Neville on the shoulder, Harry asked him to step away from the table for a bit. Which Neville did.

Out of listening-in range, Harry asked the other boy, "How would you like to come and check out our new digs, tonight? We're having a couple of select friends over for a couple of butterbeers and snacks."

Surprised he was asked, Neville replied, "Yeah, sure, Harry. That sounds nice. Thank you."

With an answering smile, Harry said, "Great. Now, we're behind the statue of Professor Whittaker just down from the Ravenclaw tower entrance in the west wing. Know where it is?"

Neville appeared to think about it for a bit; rustling through his memories before he said, "Ummm... sorry, Harry; I don't."

"That's alright," Harry soothed him. "You can walk back with us, then; after the meal. That way we can be sure you know where it is in future."

With a smile masking his look of relief, the other boy said, "That'd be great; thanks."

Just as he was about to head to the Ravenclaw table, Harry said to him, "Oh, and if any Weasley asks where you're going, or where you've been afterwards; just tell them Hermione, Daphne and I don't want them to know in case Ron or Ginevra uses the information to try and poison us with their potions again."

"I'll do that, Harry," Neville replied with a small grimace. "I'm still finding it hard to accept either one of them would actually try to do something like that. It's disgusting. The rest of the House is disgusted with them, too."

With a nod, Harry gave him a pat of manly encouragement on the shoulder before heading to the Ravenclaw table. Daphne, who'd been off talking to her friends at the Slytherin table, joined them a few minutes later.

After the meal, the girls headed off back to their apartment, after first volunteering Harry to wait back and escort Neville and the others up. Luna went up with the girls.

Only about ten minutes later, Neville came over and sat down next to Harry. "I'm ready when you are," he said.

With a nod of recognition, Harry replied, "We're just waiting on a couple of Slytherins to join us. Daphne's friends."

When Tracey, Blaise and Horace joined them a few minutes later, Harry stood up, greeted them and said, "The girls have already headed back. I'm your escort for the evening."

"In that case, Mister Potter," Tracey said as stepped forward and linked her right arm through to hang on his left elbow, "Please lead the way."

After seeing the other three boys grin, Harry said, "Of course, my Lady." And led them out of the Hall.

When they reached the statue, Harry said, "Professor Whittaker, here, guards the entrance to our private chambers."

"And diligently, Mister Potter," the statue said.

"And the password is 'Double-H Dee'," explained Harry.

The Professor gave a short bow in recognition and stepped aside, allowing Harry, with Tracey still on his arm, to precede the other three inside. Hermione and Daphne were sitting together on one of the couches, and they had obviously been chatting about something important between them.

As Harry led the others inside, both girls said, "Good evening!" And Daphne added, "Thank you all for coming at such short notice."

"Thank you for inviting us," said Blaise.

Tracey then gave a little bit of a squeal and rushed over to hug her friend. Once she'd backed off, she looked around and said, "This looks nice! It's even bigger than your old one. Give us the tour."

Harry said to the guys, "Join them, if you want. Or, take a load off and have a seat."

Neville went off to tag along with Daphne and Tracey, but Blaise and Horace remained.

Harry went to sit next to Hermione while the other two boys sat opposite.

"So," Harry started, "How goes life in the Snake Pit?"

Blaise grinned back and replied, "That arrogant little tosser, Malfoy, is still fuming over how Daphne is now bonded to you, and forevermore out of his reach with a betrothal contract."

Harry snorted and said, "From what I've learned, that was never going to happen. First, I believe Matthias hates Malfoy Senior's guts. Second, even if he thought of considering such a thing, I think Daphne would likely take her ire out on him before turning her wand to Malfoy Junior."

"That's exactly what would have happened," Blaise said with a smirk. "His problem is, Parkinson overheard him and is giving him Hell for it."

"I thought he already had a contract with Parkinson, anyway," Harry said, a little confused.

"No, Parkinson wants everyone to think that because it's what she wants," replied Horace. "However, Malfoy is not interested in her, that way."

"Ah!" said Harry, understanding. "And what's the common consensus about the changes with Snape?"

"They think he's being blackmailed by someone; possibly, you," replied Blaise. "Is it you who's blackmailing him?"

Harry chuckled and replied, "In a way. I just told Dumbledore he needed to 'muzzle his dog' after one too many of his abuses towards me; or, I was going to talk to the Headmistress of Beauxbatons, when they get here late next month, and apply for a transfer to there.

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