Harry Potter and the Sword of the Hero

HARRY POTTER AND THE SWORD OF THE HERO

Chapter 7 - Loss of Innocence

So long as there are men there will be wars

--Albert Einstein

"Good, Rafe. Weasley, better luck next time," growled Moody. Ethan and Ron shook hands and went and sat back down, their duel over. "Next up is... Potter and... Malfoy," said Moody, scanning a list in front of him with a scarred finger.

Harry smiled to himself; he'd been looking forward to this one. Rising from his seat, he strode into the centre of the room and watched Malfoy do the same. They stood close to each other, barely two feet apart. "When you're ready, lads," Moody said.

Harry and Malfoy did not move - didn't even blink. They hadn't talked once since the incident outside the Great Hall, when Rafe had hit him. "Scared, Potter?" said Malfoy so only Harry could hear him.

Harry smiled. "How's your Dad doing, Malfoy," he said lightly.

"A lot better than yours," Malfoy whispered.

It took Harry his all not to drop his wand then and there and just attack Malfoy physically. The two of them bowed to one another, not very low - barely two inches. And took five steps back, their eyes never leaving each other.

Malfoy attacked first. "Scormtalus!" he shouted. Harry jumped to the side, and in so doing, fell to the floor. He didn't know this curse, nor did he like the sound of it.

From the floor Harry thrust his wand forward and countered with, "Stupefy!"

Malfoy dodged this easily, but Harry took this chance to get to his feet. "Expelliarmus," the Slytherin spat.

Harry ducked this time and the curse went over his head. He was quick to get back on the offensive. "Travesium." Malfoy threw himself to the ground to avoid this one, and the heat of it rushed over the back of his neck, sticking the hairs on end.

Their duel went on like this for a while, none of their curses actually making contact. Harry used a few curses that he had been holding back on using against his friends. It appeared Malfoy had been saving a few just for him as well. One thing Harry noticed was that Malfoy was a lot more competent dueller than he ever had been a year ago - someone had been teaching him....

They circled the floor, as Harry moved left, Malfoy moved right. As quick as a flash Malfoy raised his wand and shot a curse. Harry moved quickly to the left, but not fast enough. The curse grazed his cheek and he felt blood trickling down his face and onto his robes. Malfoy didn't stop. Almost as soon as he fired his first curse he fired a second. "Expelliarmus!" he shouted.

Harry was still reeling from the first curse; he didn't get out of the way in time. This one hit him full force in the shoulder. It was powerful, very powerful. Harry flew backwards through the air, somersaulting all the way, and landed hard on one of the desks near the back wall. He had also lost his wand. It clattered uselessly away across the cold stone of the floor.

Harry had had the wind knocked out of him. Struggling to breath he looked to his left and caught side of Padma. He'd landed on her desk. "Hi..." he coughed. She smiled at him concernedly. Harry rolled off the desk and back on to his feet. He looked over at Malfoy and saw him pick up his wand and put it in his pocket. But Harry wasn't out yet, he still had his wandless magic - for what it was worth, and that was proving to be quite a bit.

"Give it up, Potter," sneered Malfoy. "Know when you're bested."

"You can't make me give up that easily, Malfoy..." Harry growled in response.

Malfoy laughed and raised his wand. "Stupefy!"

Harry didn't move. He saw the beam of red light shoot towards him and still he didn't move. At the last possible moment Harry raised his arms and shouted, "Protego!" The shield charm deflected Malfoy's curse and sent it back at him. He jumped out of the way just in time, the curse dissipating harmlessly against the stone wall.

There were many gasps from people around the room. Most of them could barely do the summoning charm without a wand, even Moody looked slightly impressed, if not a little fearful. Harry ignored them though, and as quick as a flash he tried to summon his wand from Malfoy's pocket, but Malfoy got a hand on it and stopped the wand from leaving the black folds of his robe.

From the ground Malfoy shot another stunning spell at Harry. His still active shield charm stopped that one too, but that was it for the shield, it broke under the second curse, leaving Harry defenceless. No sooner had the shield charm disappeared, than Harry was already on the move. In one swift movement he dived forward with his arms raised. "Travesium!"

Malfoy stepped to the side, but not quick enough. He took the spell in the chest and fell backwards to the floor. The Slytherin began to roll around on the floor, hitting his robes with his hand here and there. It looked quite comical and Harry knew why. The Travesium curse is designed to make the victim believe he is on fire. It didn't cause any pain, but Malfoy would be able to see and feel the heat from the 'flames'.

Most people in the room, bar the Slytherins, were laughing at the sight of Malfoy rolling around on the ground, swatting at invisible flames. Harry walked casually over to Malfoy and removed his wand from his pocket. "Watera," he said while laughing.

A torrent of water fell out of Harry's wand and drenched Malfoy from head to toe. He stopped rolling and looked up at Harry viciously.... if looks could kill. Harry spoke so only Malfoy could hear him. "And that is that, Malfoy." He made a move to go for his wand but Harry was faster. "Stupefy," he said emotionlessly. Malfoy slumped to the floor, unconscious.

"Well done, Potter," growled Moody. "That wandless magic of yours is the damndest thing I've ever seen. Revive him and then get yourself to the Hospital wing and have that cut looked at."

Harry nodded and quickly cast the Enervate spell on Malfoy. With a small nod to Hermione and Ron he left the room and made his way up to the Hospital wing. Despite the pain now swelling in his cheek, Harry couldn't help but smile, he had enjoyed that.

****

"One thing you should know about Apparation, is that it will go wrong if you think it will. You have to believe that you'll Apparate, that you'll get to where you're going successfully."

It was Saturday the 19^th and Harry and Ethan stood in the Shrieking Shack. They had been here three times now, and Harry was getting the basics down. "What does it feel like?" asked Harry.

Ethan shrugged, picking at a piece of dust encrusted wood. He rushed a hand through his hair and said, "Well... there is not really much time to feel anything, the trip is almost instantaneous. It's like blinking, a brief shadow of darkness before the world comes into focus."

"And how do you know it'll work before you try it?"

"The first time you have to take it on faith. Pray it happens. After that it's just like riding a broom, you never forget how to do it."

Harry nodded. "You said there was a spell that you have to use the first few times?"

"Apyraceus! Point your wand at yourself; see the place you want to be, believe that you'll get there and say that-- Apyraceus."

"Apyraceus..." whispered Harry.

Ethan looked at him levelly for a moment. "You're not ready to try that yet. A few more lessons, I think."

Harry nodded and picked up the cloak, it was time to get back to Hogwarts.

That Monday Harry had Magical Creatures, and as usual he found himself sitting by the lake with Padma, while Little Harry played by the water.

"I'm really looking forward to Saturday, Harry," said Padma with a smile.

"Me too," replied Harry quietly, almost absently, looking out across the vast glittering waters of the lake. He had just had the strangest feeling, for just a moment, that the lake wasn't real... and nor was the sky. He shook his head to clear it... madness, he thought.

"Is everything all right, Harry?" she asked.

"Hmm? Oh... yeah. Yeah I'm fine, just thinking about a few things...."

Padma looked thoughtful for a moment. "You want to talk about something?" Harry didn't say anything; he just continued to stare into the lake. "Perhaps if we-"

"Have you ever known someone who's died, Padma?" he interrupted her, whispering.

She had to think about this one. No thought Padma I don't know Death like you do.... "No, Harry... not really."

"My last remaining family died two months ago... Voldemort killed them...." Harry said remorsefully, and with more than a little guilt. "Voldemort again...."

Padma instinctively twitched at the name, and her face was the image of sorrow and... was it pity? "I- I know...."

Harry looked up at this but turned away again. "I expect everyone does... That's life though, isn't it? Just one damned thing after another...."

"Harry, I-"

"My Godfather died a month before them... he was murdered too. Scratch that one up to Voldemort as well, not to mention my own stupidity."

Padma was now confused, Harry's godfather was-- "Your godfather? Sirius... Sirius Black? But he was-"

"He was innocent," said Harry sadly. "He never killed anyone...." Padma nodded, though she was still confused. "Long story, don't worry about it...." ended Harry, pulling a blade of grass out of the earth.

"I think you need to talk about it, Harry." God... what do I say? she wondered, biting her bottom lip.

Either Harry wasn't listening or he heard her and chose to ignore it. "What would you do, Padma, if you knew your entire existence was building up to one final event? One event that could decide whether you live or die? Whether anyone lives or dies.... what would you do?"

Padma was worried. She had never known Harry to be so open. She had never really known Harry at all until a month or so ago. And in the time she had known him, she saw that he was as everyone thought him to be, the tragic hero, the survivor of the killing curse, the boy who lived.

But he was also so much more than that. He was real, more than a legend. A boy, really, a teenager with the strongest Dark Lord in existence hell bent on ending his life. And now here he was, giving her a glimpse into his painful life. Padma didn't think she could stand true under the weight of all that. "I don't know what I'd do, Harry."

Harry sighed. "Listen to me... rambling on like a fool. Let's talk about Hogsmeade, aye," he said, trying to sound cheerful and failing with absolute misery.

Padma could still see the shadow behind his eyes. He'd closed himself off again. "Okay... well what should we do on Saturday then?"

Harry looked thoughtful. "I don't know? To tell you the truth I've only ever taken a girl out once. And that was a disaster," he said, remembering his one date with Cho Chang, now Head Girl.

"Well what would you like to do?"

"I do need to buy some formal dress robes." Harry remembered his Order of Merlin ceremony. "That's a thing? Would you like to come with me to this place I've got to go to?"

Padma looked confused and let out a small laugh. "I'd love to go... but what is it?"

Harry shrugged. "Ministry's giving me an Order of Merlin on the 16^th next month. I guess I have to go along, being the recipient and all."

Padma could truly tell that he didn't care for this. One of the highest honours in the Wizarding world and he just shrugged it off. It was amazing the way he saw some things that didn't matter to most people and just as easily dismissed things that would mean everything to someone else. "Sounds like fun."

****

That Saturday Harry made ready to go. He woke early from the nightmares, as was his way now, showered and shaved off the fuzz before making his way down to the armchairs by the fire. Today was Hogsmeade day, and he couldn't help but feel that maybe he shouldn't be doing this, allowing another person to get to close. Padma was special to him, if she got hurt then-

"Morning, Harry," said a familiar voice from the bottom of the stairs.

Harry turned to the voice, a small smile on his lips. "Morning, Ginny."

"You okay?" she asked.

"Yeah I'm fine," he said quickly. "Are you going in to Hogsmeade today?"

She nodded. "Yes, Fred and George have their new shop open now. They'll make tons today, what with all the Hogwarts students in town."

Harry smiled. "I'll bet they will."

Harry and Ginny walked down to the Great Hall together twenty minutes later. As they were seated, Harry glanced at the ceiling. Today promised to be a good day for once. The Sun was out and not a cloud could be seen.

Harry had just started to eat some porridge when Ethan arrived and sat down next to him. "You want to go to the -er- place this morning," asked Rafe, mindful of Ginny who had turned away when he had sat down.

"No, not today," answered Harry. "Going to Hogsmeade today."

Rafe shrugged. "Fair enough," he said indifferently, and walked away again. Harry watched him go with growing suspicion.

Soon most of the school was seated at their house tables. Harry was just finishing up when Dumbledore strode down between the tables and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Professor?" Harry said, an image of the last few days of term last year leaping unbidden into his mind. He felt a stab of anger towards the old man, but hid it well.

"Good morning, Harry. I wonder if we could go to the Entrance Hall for a moment and have a talk?"

Harry nodded. "I'll be back in a minute," he said to Ron and Hermione.

Harry rose from the bench and followed Dumbledore out of the Hall. On the way out he caught Padma's eye and gave her a small smile. Dumbledore and Harry stood in the deserted Entrance Hall. Everyone was in the Great Hall, there was no one about.

"What did you want, Professor?" he asked.

"Your friends are going to Hogsmeade, Harry?"

"Ron and Hermione, yes. What's... wrong with that?" He knew exactly what was wrong with that, but they deserved freedom.

"Well, the Fidelius charm will not hide them passed the gates of this castle. They leave and Voldemort can reach them."

Damn, thought Harry, that was true "I already know that, but I don't think they won't go."

Dumbledore smiled. "I expect they wouldn't. I just thought you should know that they will not be unguarded. Members of the Order have been stationed all over Hogsmeade for today. You'll probably recognise a few of them but it would be best if you don't approach them. Voldemort knows of the Order's existence, we do not want to give too much away."

Harry nodded with understanding. "Is that all, Professor?"

Dumbledore appeared thoughtful. "Actually, Harry, there was one more thing. A growing number of people have come to see me concerning your well being. Not just students but Professors as well. They seem to think you're not well, that you seem run-down. Is everything all right?"

Harry sighed. "Yeah... well, I- I just have some trouble sleeping. Bad dreams...."

"I am sorry you have to bear these things, Harry." Dumbledore seemed to age twenty years then and there. He looked like an old and weathered statue. Harry could never imagine reaching that age.

"I'll be fine, sir. It's- It's not that bad really, just some nights I don't sleep very well." It was a lie. Harry could tell Dumbledore knew it was a lie.

"Very well, Harry. Do come see me if you need some help, though. We are all here to help you."

People had started to emerge from the Hall now, breakfast was over. Harry said his goodbyes to Dumbledore and moved through the crowd looking for Padma. He stood on his toes and spotted Ron and Hermione emerge through the wooden doors. He was just about to go over to them when someone called his name.

"Harry!"

Harry turned in the direction of the voice. It was Padma, standing at the base of the stairs. He squeezed his way through the crowd and over to her. "Ready to go?" he asked.

She smiled. "Yes."

After passing Filch, the two of them walked out of the castle together. On his way passed, Harry nodded to Ron and Hermione and said he'd see them later. As the ceiling had promised, the day was turning out fine. Harry and Padma walked down through the castle grounds in the long line of students on their way to Hogsmeade. They talked normally most of the way, but just when they were through the castle gates, the sixth year Slytherins appeared. Needless to say, Malfoy caught sight of Harry and Padma.

"Jeez, Potter, another one? What happened to Chang, she was a lot better looking than that one."

Harry turned and saw Malfoy standing about ten yards away, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle. As quick as a flash Harry had his wand in his hand, he would've used it but he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Just let him be, Harry," said Padma quietly. "He's not worth it... no one like that ever is."

Harry looked at her for a moment and then let his wand drop to his side. The flow of students from the castle had stopped to see what would happen next. Potter versus Malfoy was always a good show. Harry sighed and turned back to Malfoy. "What's the matter, Potter, lost your nerve? Is Patil keeping you on too short of a leash?" Crabbe and Goyle laughed stupidly behind Malfoy, as did the other Slytherins. No one else in the crowd laughed, though.

Harry had had enough. He turned back around, eyes blazing. "Tell me, Malfoy, which one of the two lucky lads behind you is your date? Crabbe or Goyle?" Most people in the crowd laughed at this one. It wiped the smirk of Malfoy's face. He gave Harry a venomous look before turning away sharply and walking off, Crabbe and Goyle in tow.

"Sorry about him," apologised Harry to Padma.

"Its okay, Harry."

Soon enough the two of them were walking down the high street of Hogsmeade. They passed by the little thatched cottages and shops, Hogwart's students coming in and out of most of them. Up the busy street they walked, until they came to a store Harry had to go in.

"Oh, let's go in here," he said eagerly.

Padma smiled. "Okay."

Harry and Padma entered Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. It was busy, extremely busy. From floor to ceiling stood amazingly strange products marked with even stranger names. There were Hogwart's students everywhere. Harry had a hard time getting through the crowd with Padma and over to the sales desk.

"Can I help you?" asked a pretty young witch from behind the counter.

"I just wanted to speak to Fred or George, if they're here?"

She smiled. "George is in the back. Just go through that door there," she said pointing to a door along the far wall. "He said to expect a few friends."

"Thanks," Harry nodded.

Harry grasped Padma's hand and they braved the crowd again. Once through, Harry opened and entered the door. They stood in a room filled with cardboard boxes of all shapes and sizes, the store room.

"Is that you, Rachel? Good you can give me a hand with some of these boxes," said a familiar voice from behind a stack of boxes.

"Sorry, George, you can carry your own damn boxes. Or is it, Fred?" laughed Harry.

George Weasley poked his head from behind a box to Harry's left. "Harry! Wonderful to see you, mate." George came out form behind the box and they shook hands. "And who is this?" he said upon spotting Padma. "Not Parvati... so...."

"Padma Patil," said Padma, extending her hand.

"George Weasley," said George taking her hand. "So, what brings you here, Harry?"

"Just popped in to say hello."

"And where is my little brother? Getting into trouble I hope?" George said, raising his eyebrows.

"He'll probably be in later with Hermione," said Harry.

"With Hermione, aye?" George nudged him in the ribs none to subtly.

Harry laughed. "It's not what you think. I can tell Ron would like it to be, but he just won't ask her."

George shook his head and tried to appear thoughtful, but failed when he laughed. "Yeah, well he's always been stupid."

They talked like this for several minutes. "Do you know we nearly ran old Zonko's Joke shop out of business? But instead we became partners. Zonko's is now part owned by Weasley's Wizard Wheezes," said George joyfully, nodding his head towards the boxes of Zonko's merchandise behind him.

Harry could tell that George needed to get back to his boxes. He broke off the conversation. "We'll see you later, George. Tell Fred I said hi."

"Will do, Harry. See you later, Padma."

Harry and Padma said goodbye and soon enough they were back out on the street. Harry checked his watch; it was 11:00am. "Where to now?" he asked.

"Didn't you need to but some robes?" said Padma.

"Oh.... yeah.... I don't know if there is a shop here that sells robes, though? Not the kind I'm after."

Padma smiled and grabbed his hand. "There's one a few streets over. Sells all the robes you could need."

Harry followed Padma into a part of Hogsmeade that he had never been in before. They came to a street and Harry spotted something down it that made him smile, but they carried on passed it. The next street wasn't much different from the rest of Hogsmeade. There were the same little thatched cottages dotted up and down it. The shops were different, though.

There were no joke shops, sweet shops or pubs. They all looked like impressive, upper class shops. Harry and Padma walked passed an armourer who made his armour out of dragon hide, a shop filled with strange instruments that would rival even Dumbledore's collection, and finally they came to a shop with the simple name, Robes.

They entered through the paned glass door. Harry was knocked back for a moment as he realised that this was one of those places that was bigger on the inside than it appeared on the outside. There were shelves upon shelves of all types of robes of all shapes, colours, and sizes. As far as he could see there were robes. He'd definitely found the right shop.

"May I help you, dears?" asked an elderly witch to Harry's left. She had appeared out of nowhere, and Harry suppressed a startled jump.

"Harry here needs some formal dress robes," said Padma, leading him along by the hand.

The witch smiled and then looked Harry up and down, her eyes doing the usual flick towards his scar. "Formal dress robes, you say? Follow me." As they walked through the seeming endless racks of robes, the elderly witch introduced herself. "I'm Mrs. Olen, dears," she said.

"Padma Patil," said Padma.

"Harry Potter," said Harry.

Mrs. Olen smiled and then turned left down another row of robes. "Okay... Yes, here we are. Formal dress robes." The robes before Harry were probably the most impressive he had ever seen. "Were you looking for anything in particular?"

Harry thought for a moment. He thought about the other dress robes he had owned, before Privet Drive. They had been green. "Something green," he finally said.

"Green...." muttered Mrs. Olen. "Yes, green would suit you well."

Out of her robes she pulled out a small length of measure. It fell to the floor but immediately sprang to life and began making its way up Harry's leg. Mrs. Olen also walked away. As the tape measure was doing its work, Padma tapped Harry on the shoulder. "I'm just going to look at some robes I saw on the way through," she said.

"Okay."

Padma walked around the corner and out of sight, just as Mrs. Olen returned carrying several pairs of green robes. "Here we are, dear. These are our finest green formal dress robes." The tape measure finished its work and jumped back into Mrs. Olen's hands. She looked at it and then pulled one of the robes from the pile she had brought with her. "These should fit, try them on."

Harry nodded and took the robes. He removed his plain black Hogwarts robes and placed them on the rack next to him. He was wearing black jeans and a black shirt underneath. Harry put on the green robes and did up the strap. They were light, very light, lighter than he had expected them to be. They were also silky to the touch; they felt very nice to wear. Harry rubbed the material between his fingers; it was very fine and smooth. They were dyed a dark green.

"Do you like these robes, Mr Potter?"

"Yeah.... Yes, yes they're excellent. I'll take them."

Harry removed the fine robes and put his Hogwarts ones back on. The felt rough and stale in comparison. He followed Mrs. Olen back through the long rows of robes. Padma joined them about halfway back to the counter; she was carrying a pair of sky blue robes.

"All set?" asked Harry.

"Yes," she said smiling.

After paying for their robes they left the shop. Back outside on the street they passed witches and wizards going about their business. Harry checked his watch, it was 12:30. He and Padma walked slowly back towards the part of Hogsmeade he knew best. They talked idly as they walked and soon enough were back among the throng of Hogwart's students.

There hadn't been a minute that past so far that day that Harry wasn't looking over his shoulder. Padma had noticed of course, but said nothing.

"Should we go get some lunch?" asked Harry.

Padma nodded. "Three Broomsticks?"

"Sounds good."

Harry and Padma walked across the street and entered the little inn. Harry realised instantly that they wouldn't get lunch here. The place was packed. Every table was seated with either Hogwart's students or every day patrons. It was standing room only, and that was growing thin. Padma took a few steps forward into the crowd but Harry grabbed her arm.

"Come on," he said. "I've got a better idea." She looked at him quizzically for a moment but then nodded.

Once outside again, Padma followed Harry back the way they had come. As they walked Harry had a quick look over his shoulder, he had an unexplainable feeling that someone was following them. There was no one but Hogwart's students. He turned back around and put his hand inside his robes and grasped his wand, he kept his hand there. "Tell me, Padma," he said, "have you ever been to a Muggle restaurant?"

She appeared thoughtful. "Well... when we were in France, Parvati and I, we went to this place called Mac-Doonalds. Tasty but salty."

Harry laughed. "Yeah, well this place is different... em... still plenty of salt but, it has one of the finest Muggle delicacies, though."

They turned down the street that they had passed earlier and Harry saw it again. Padma did too and she couldn't help but smile. She followed Harry down the paved path towards the 'restaurant' and continued to smile as he held the door open for her. As she entered Harry glanced quickly back up the street the way they came, he couldn't be sure but he thought he saw someone turn into a store a lot faster than was normal, as if he were trying to get out of sight. He sighed and then tightened his grip on his wand before entering, York Street Fish & Chips.

****

Dumbledore paced his study, lost in thought. He had received reports from members of the Order pretty steadily throughout the day. Hogsmeade was safe. Everything fine. Nothing to worry about. Death Eater activity zero.

The fact that there was nothing happening only increased his worry. This was the perfect opportunity for Voldemort to try something, and yet he hadn't. Nothing had been seen or heard of him since he had sent Harry the recruitment letter - which was cause for concern in itself, as it was so out of character from what Dumbledore knew of Voldemort. The Dark Lord was up to something, and Heaven help them all Dumbledore, the leader for the Light, had no idea what it was.

Dumbledore was just about to head down to the staff room when Fawkes, the red and gold phoenix, cried a shrill note. Dumbledore turned to Fawkes but carried on turning when he heard a tapping on his window. There was a bird outside, carrying something, that wanted to be let in. He saw the black plumage, the blood red beak, it was Voldemort's bird.

With a quick wave of his hand the window opened and the bird flew in. It swooped across the room and came to rest on Dumbledore's desk, it dropped its package and then let out an ear splitting screech. Fawkes jumped from his post, letting out his own cry and dived towards the bird. As quick as a flash Voldemort's dark eagle took flight back out of the window it had come in. Fawkes gave chase but stopped when he reached the sill, with a final cry the eagle flew away, as fast as the wind.

Dumbledore, meanwhile, was regarding the package the eagle had brought with great caution. He saw it to be a box of fair size, attached to the side was a piece of red parchment. He could tell it was a Howler. With a sigh Dumbledore flicked his wand towards it and the parchment rolled open.

There was silence in the room as everybody waited for the message, Dumbledore and the portraits alike. After a moment, five words pierced the quietness of the study.

"If Death is nothing, Dumbledore...."

It was Voldemort's voice, the voice of a demon. The parchment exploded in a ball of green flames, igniting the box it was attached to. Dumbledore stared apprehensively at the box as it was destroyed by the flames. The flames burnt his desk but it didn't matter, whatever was in there he needed to see.

The box was reduced to ash in the flames, revealing its contents. Dumbledore sighed once the contents were shown, and several of the portraits around the room gasped. Dumbledore blinked and then rubbed his eyes behind his half moon spectacles. He was staring at the rotting, burnt head of a man.

My move, he thought, turning to glance out of the window and at the proverbial chessboard.

****

"What can I get you, love?" asked a small witch from behind the counter.

"Two chips, thanks. Large," said Harry.

The witch nodded. "Right away, love."

As she busied herself with the fryer, Harry asked a question that was gnawing away at him. "Didn't expect to see a fish & chip store in a Wizarding village?" he said.

The lady smiled. "My dad's a Muggle, he owns a string of chippy's up and down the country. I thought the Wizarding world was missing out on something good, so I set up shop here a few months ago. Business has been pretty good, actually."

The lady shook the chips in the oil and then turned round and dumped them on the paper. She wrapped them up. "That be all, love?"

Harry nodded thanks and handed over some coins. He and Padma said goodbye and walked back out onto the street. Once back outside Harry instinctively looked up the road to where he thought that man had been. It was deserted; they were the only ones on the street. This made Harry slightly nervous.

He walked alongside Padma as quickly as he could without arousing her suspicion. After a few minutes Harry sighted the high street and people. They were back in the busy part of Hogsmeade without incident.

Now that they were back among the crowds, Harry relaxed his grip on his wand. He and Padma walked passed the street though and on until they were walking through a park near the edge of town.

They walked alongside a blue river, as they ate their chips and talked. A small group of ducks was following them along the waters edge, hoping for a chip or two. Harry and Padma walked up on to a little stone bridge that spanned the little river, about forty feet long.

They came to a stop in the centre of the bridge and Harry sat down on the raised stone wall, his legs hanging over the edge towards the river, Padma did the same. All the while the ducks circled underneath them.

"This is nice," said Padma, putting the bag with her robes in against the bridge wall.

"It is," agreed Harry. He could see the castle of Hogwarts in the distance, just above the line of trees. This river must run into the lake he thought. A steady flow of people were walking over the bridge, some were Hogwart's students, others not quite so. Harry still felt they were being watched, but from where was a mystery.

"I've really enjoyed today," said Padma smiling.

"Me too," he said honestly, throwing a chip to the ducks. Today has been good, best time I've had in a while.... "I'd love to do it again sometime."

"Well there's that Order of Merlin thing."

Harry smiled. "Yeah, that won't be too bad if I'm going with you."

There was a moment of silence in which Harry threw some more chips to the ducks. He felt happy at the moment, which was something that didn't happen much at all lately, he didn't want to lose it. Sitting next to Padma on this bridge eating chips, it made Harry feel like he was someone normal. Just a normal kid out on a date with a girl he liked, not the mortal enemy of the Dark Lord, not the Boy Who Lived, but a normal teenage kid.

Without actually knowing when or how it happened, he and Padma were sitting a lot closer together. He looked into her eyes, she into his, neither of them saying anything. Slowly, so slowly, Harry leaned in towards her. Padma didn't back away or try to stop him, and ever so gently his lips brushed hers. It took more courage than facing off against a dozen Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries.

Harry moved back a few inches and looked into Padma's eyes. She seemed nervous for a moment and was biting her bottom lip, but then she smiled. This time Padma leaned closer to Harry and caught his lips. It lasted longer this time, they kissed gently at first but then slowly their mouths opened a little more and Padma slipped her tongue in. If Harry was happy a minute ago, it was nothing compared to how he felt now. All his cares, all his troubles were forgotten in this one fantastic moment where he felt happy just to be alive.

It was short lived, though. Out of the corner of his eye Harry saw something flash. He broke away from Padma with a growl and almost instantly he had his wand in his hand. But what he had mistaken for the flash of a curse was actually the flash of a camera. Standing about two metres away was a small wizard holding a camera to his eye. There was another click and a flash and the man brought the camera down, a huge grin plastered across his face. Harry stood up, angry.

"Smile, Mr. Potter," the man said, "you've just made the Daily Prophet."

"Give me that damn camera," Harry spat. The man laughed as Harry lunged forward at the camera, but took a quick step back and with a small pop, Disapparated.

Shit thought Harry shit, shit, shit... This could cost me.... Harry turned back to Padma, who was trying very hard not to laugh.

"I'm sorry, Padma," said Harry. Shit, shit, shit....

"Oh, Harry, don't worry about it, its okay," she finished laughing.

No, no it isn't he thought. He sat back down next to her on the stone wall. Well now I know who was following us... shit....

Padma was still trying not to laugh next to him. "What's so funny?" he asked, a little tightly.

"I was just wondering about what my parents are going to think when they see that?"

It's not your parents seeing it that worries me....

Harry sighed and removed his glasses. He began to clean them on his robes but squeezed a little too hard and one of the lenses cracked. Padma had stopped laughing now. "Here, let me," she said, pulling out her wand. "Reparo!" The spell hit the cracked glass and fixed it seamlessly.

"Thanks," he muttered, replacing his glasses.

"Is something the matter, Harry?" she asked.

Yes. "No," he said trying to sound cheerful. He leaned in closer to her again and kissed her on the cheek. "No, let's get going back to the castle."

Padma smiled and stood up. Harry picked up their bags and began to walk down off the bridge when he felt Padma grasp his hand with hers and fall into line next to him.

The two of them strolled along the riverside, talking very little, both just happy to be in each other's company. Soon they were back on the Hogsmeade high street. It wasn't as busy as it had been a few hours ago, most students had gone back to Hogwarts.

The village of Hogsmeade was soon behind them and they were walking passed the hill on which the Shrieking Shack was built. As Harry and Padma walked back up the winding dirt road to Hogwarts, Harry couldn't help but think.... what have I done? What if he sees the paper, of course he'll see the paper... who won't? In a small corner of his mind, Harry thought logically that if he was going to be seeing Padma, there was no way it would have stayed hidden for long.

That didn't help. He began to feel as if he had already killed her. Damn it... this isn't fair!

Harry glanced at Padma as they walked through the gates and back on to Hogwart's grounds. She was walking with a small smile on her face, and Harry knew why; she was happy, but she didn't know what the photograph could mean, if seen by the wrong people.... maybe she did, but it didn't matter.

Harry looked out across the grounds; first years were playing by the lake or relaxing under the trees on probably the last sunny day of the year. It was at times like this that Harry realised just how different he really was. These kids went about their lives completely oblivious to the war. He'd heard them in the halls and around the school. They saw it as someone else's problem, Voldemort was someone else's problem, the Death Eaters were someone else's problem, and the fighting would be done by someone else. They didn't have to deal with the things Harry had to, and that's what made him different. He was the 'someone else' that they talked about, the one whose problem it was to rid the world of Voldemort.

And as Harry walked up the track next to Padma, watching the first and second year kids happily playing by the lake, a realisation dawned on him. He was glad it was his problem, glad none of those kids had to feel the way he did, glad that they could play carefree without the fear of the Dark Lord hanging over them every hour of the day. He was glad.

Not everyone could be happy, but it was important to try anyway.

Harry was brought back to the present as they reached the entrance to the castle. He hopped up the steps and opened the wooden door, allowing Padma to walk through first. Once inside the castle they linked hands again and made their way up the stairs in the Entrance Hall. They soon came to the moving staircases; Harry had to go left, Padma right.

"Thanks for today, Harry, it was really great," she said happily.

Harry smiled and handed her the bag that held her robes. "I enjoyed it too."

There was a moment taken and then Padma took a step towards him and kissed him quickly on the lips. This made Harry very happy and he kissed her back, his arms around her waist, hers around his neck. "See you soon, Padma," he finally said as they separated.

"Goodbye, Harry," she replied with a smile before turning away and beginning her walk up the ancient stairs.

Harry waited until she was out of sight before he began to walk up to Gryffindor tower. As he walked, though, he couldn't help but think one thing.... What have I done?

****