He's Not a One-Eyed, One-Horned, Flying Purple People Eater?

The black hair boy stretched, his arms high over his head and his toes reaching down towards the end of his bed. He grinned at the sight of the scarlet hangings on his bed, reaching out to caress the velvet curtain before yanking it back and hopping out of bed.

Harry ran over to Seamus's bed, jumping on it heavily. "Come on, guys!" he called out in a sing song voice. "It's Friday--which means tomorrow is Saturday! Wake up!"

"Gah, Harry, gerroff!" Seamus seemed to be a little grumpy this morning, Harry noted, but he did climb out of bed.

Harry jumped off Seamus's bed and bounced around the room, shaking every one by the shoulder.

"Wake up, Ron!" Ron snorted and rolled his eyes, dragging himself from his bed and hurrying towards the shower room.

"Wake up, Neville!" Neville giggled, smiling at Harry before following Ron.

"Wake up, Dean!"

Dean sighed, exasperated. "Harry, you really need to find a boyfriend. You're driving me nuts!"

Harry blinked. Why doesn't that thought bother me? I didn't think I was...

"Come on, Harry, we're going to be late to breakfast!" Neville's voice floated up the stairs, so Harry quickly pulled his pants on and hurried out the door.

When he got downstairs, Neville was the only one waiting for him. Every one else had headed out the door, Seamus leading the pack.

"Ilhar, wait!" Seamus called, dashing forward into a crowd of Ravenclaws.

By this time, Harry and Neville had caught up with Dean. "What's with him?" Harry asked.

"He's got a crush on that Ravenclaw," Dean answered with disgust. "He's lost his mind."

Harry pouted.

"Oh." Dean gave him a raised eyebrow look. "He's not interested in guys, Harry, so save your time."

"I wasn't planning anything!" Harry lied, as his mind whirled with different ideas. How to seduce Seamus Finnigan, plan A. I think I'll call it SAG--Seduce Away (the) Gryffindor...Stupid Ravenclaw, who does she think she is, stealing my man?

"Right." Harry was glad that Dean seemed convinced, and he smiled happily, spending the next several minutes making and rejecting various plans. Eventually, he decided on the easiest. I'll pounce on him and start snogging him madly--no one can resist me! I'm bloody handsome.

Just then, he noticed Ron and Hermione entering the Great Hall at Draco's side, heading towards the Slytherin's table. Ron and Draco were arguing loudly about Quidditch ("The Chudley Cannons will too win!"), and Hermione had her nose in a book, per usual. Harry sneered at the Golden Trio, and hurried over to his own table.

Harry scanned the Professors' table, his eyes making note that the only teachers in the Great Hall were the Professors Trelawney and Snape. He briefly considered making trouble since there were so few authority figures around, but decided that since Snape was present, it wasn't really a good idea.

When the owls came, Harry noticed a pitch-black one floating down to the Boy-Who-Lived. Draco paled, and Ron pulled the letter away from the owl, getting bitten sharply on the knuckles as his reward.

The trio read the letter, and then exchanged a glance. Harry watched as they rushed from the Great Hall, their faces pale and stricken with worry and grief.

"Pass the jam, will ya, Neville?"

"Sure, Harry."