Under the New Moon

This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Chapter 5

Dinner and Rehearsals

Two figures apparated at the end of the street and started down it, bickering softly.

"You must behave tonight," said the first figure, "this is important."

The second figure made a small noise of resentment. "I will behave if Potter's dog is kept out the back," it returned.

"Also," continued the first figure, "Draco wishes for his relationship with Harry to be kept private, so you are not to mention anything about that this evening."

"Doesn't it bother you that Potter has obviously fed him some kind of love potion?" the second figure snapped angrily.

"Don't be absurd, the boys are happy together. I think it's sweet."

"Does Lucius feel the same way?"

The first figure stopped walking and took a moment to speak again. "Lucius, as far as I know-"

"I do apologise-"

"-Knows nothing of their relationship, nor will he find out about it unless Draco himself tells him. Do I make myself clear?"

"You know I have no contact with Lucius, I shouldn't have brought him up."

"Also, you are not to bring up James Potter. I don't know what it is you have against him, but tonight, the past is dead."

"Alright."

"Now where is my son?"

A third figure apparated onto the street and surveyed the area nervously before spotting the first two figures.

"Draco," Narcissa called, "do hurry up. We were invited for seven, were we not?"

Draco hurried down the street to catch up. "Yes, but it's only seven now, why aren't we waiting another hour?"

His mother fixed him with A Look. "Surely you know these people, darling; when they say seven, they will not understand if you show up at eight. To them, that is rude, and Blacks are never rude."

"Of course, mother."

***

"Harry, get the door!" Sirius shouted from the kitchen.

From somewhere in another room, Harry shouted back. "I can't find my black shirt, Sirius! Where's Remus?"

"What?"

"Where's Remus?"

"Opening the door," Lupin called from the hallway, rolling his eyes.

Sirius appeared into Harry's room a second later with a loud crack. "I thought it was hanging in your wardrobe," he said to Harry who was rummaging frantically in a pile of clothes at the foot of his bed.

Harry looked up, puzzled. "My wardrobe?"

Sirius strode over, threw open the doors and produced the shirt with a knowing smirk.

Harry took it from him, shaking his head. "I never would have thought of that," he admitted.

Sirius grinned. "It's an old trick Remus used to use at school."

Harry buttoned up his shirt in the mirror and ran his fingers through his hair a few times.

"Nervous?" Sirius asked.

"A little," Harry replied without thinking, then he stopped himself. "I've just never met your cousin properly and I'd like to make a good impression, that's all. Are you nervous, Sirius?"

"A little," he said, nodding. "I haven't seen her since we were at Hogwarts. Her son isn't the most pleasant thing to be around, but he's family after all, and I should get to know him. Besides, you're kind of friends with him now, he can't be that bad."

Harry nodded, thinking Sirius sounded a little strangled. "Isn't Mrs. Malfoy bringing a date?" he inquired.

"She said she was seeing someone, so I invited her to bring him," Sirius told him. "It shouldn't be a problem. Oh, but don't call her Mrs. Malfoy, I think she's going by Black again now."

"Who is she bringing?"

"Probably some pureblood-"

Crack.

Lupin apparated into Harry's room wearing an expression of extreme constipation. Both Harry and Sirius took a step back.

"Hermione and her parents just arrived," he told them. "I've showed them into the living room."

"Are you okay, Moony?" Sirius asked in alarm.

Lupin nodded. "I just saw Narcissa and Draco walking up the street."

Harry exchanged a look with Sirius. "And...?" he prompted.

"And she brought a date," Lupin finished quickly. "Just get downstairs to greet them."

The three of them returned downstairs just as the doorbell rang for the second time.

Lupin stood frozen to the spot and gestured at Harry to open it, restraining Sirius gently with one hand.

"Are you-" Harry started.

"Just get the door!" Lupin barked.

Harry answered the door. "Merry Christmas," he said politely to Narcissa and Draco who were standing on the doorstep. A third figure, presumably Narcissa's date was standing in the shadows behind them.

Draco smiled hesitantly at him and returned his greeting.

Narcissa strode in and offered Harry her hand. "Merry Christmas, Harry. I do hope we can put that incident at Diagon Alley behind us. The stress of the war was getting to us all, I'm sure."

"Of course," he replied shaking her hand.

"Narcissa!" boomed Sirius, walking towards her with some difficulty, as Lupin was clinging to his arm. "So glad you could make it. And ... oh for Merlin's sake, Remus, get off ... and Draco, nice to see you again."

"Sirius. Charmed," replied Narcissa. "It's been too long since we've been together on Christmas."

"Indeed it has."

"This is Remus Lupin, a good friend of mine," Sirius said, gesturing to Lupin who was still looking in desperate need of a massage.

"You teach at Draco's school," Narcissa said. "Pleasure to meet you. I believe you both know Severus?"

"Sever..." began Sirius, and then stopped speaking as he laid eyes on the man still hovering in the doorway.

Lupin made a small choking noise.

Harry whirled around to gape at Draco who appeared to be trying not to laugh. He winked at Harry.

Snape entered the room to a dead silence. "Merry Christmas," he said in tones that could have heralded in the dead of winter.

Hermione chose that moment to walk down the hall towards them. "Harry, where are the-" She stopped as she spotted them. "Oh," she said, looking around at the scene in front of her. "Merry Christmas, Professor, Ms. Black, Mal- Draco."

Everyone stared at her for a moment, before Snape replied, "Good evening, Miss Granger," and made silk jealous with his voice.

"You're seeing Snape?" blurted Sirius the Blunt.

Narcissa bestowed upon him a charming smile. "Where are you putting the coats?" she asked, shrugging off her long black coat revealing elegant grey dress robes beneath it that also made silk jealous.

Lupin rushed forward and took it. "I'll take them upstairs. Sirius, will you lead them into the living room?" he said, giving Sirius a You Had Better Behave Look.

"This way, please," Sirius said an octave higher than normal and with a slightly twitching smile, and lead the way down the hall.

Harry fell behind with Draco. "Snape? And your mum?"

Draco shrugged. "It's not so bad. I've always respected the man, and he treats her well, so... Besides, he's much better looking now and that's a plus."

"You don't mind that she's not with your father?" Harry pushed, knowing he probably shouldn't.

"My father's in Azkaban, she shouldn't have to stay with someone who can't be with her. Besides," he added, "he's a Death Eater."

Harry didn't know what to say to that, so he took Draco's hand and kissed it. "You look so festive in that pink."

Draco glared at him suspiciously. "Are you mocking me? Pansy assured me pink was the new green and made me buy this and she consulted two crystal balls before she told me this and--"

"Draco," Harry said firmly. "You look gorgeous."

Draco smirked, clearly trying to hide his pleased smile. "Yes, I know," he said casually.

Harry rolled his eyes. "You're such a prat," he said, and pulled him into a closet.

***

The Weasleys arrived shortly after and introductions were made all around. There was a rather tense moment when Fleur, who showed up in stunning crimson dress robes, was introduced to Narcissa. Both women stared appraisingly at each other. Then Narcissa held out her hand.

"Pleased to meet you," she said coolly.

"Charmed," replied Fleur with a slight raise of one eyebrow.

"Your dress is exquisite," she remarked, with a slight smile.

"As ees yours, Ms. Black," she said, returning the smile.

"Please, call me Narcissa."

"Fleur."

"Fleur, that is a stunning ring..."

And things remained stable for the time being until Draco and Harry walked into the room.

"I was just showing him-" Harry started as means for an excuse.

"You!" Fleur shouted, standing abruptly and pointing at Draco. "You are zee one 'oo did zis to my 'usband!"

Bill stood up and took her gently by the arm. "Fleur, please sit down," he said softly but firmly.

"'Ow can you stand here and dare to look him in zee face after what you 'ave caused?" she demanded of Draco.

Draco in the meantime had gone white and was staring at Bill in horror.

"He didn't do this to me, it was Greyback, remember?" Bill said quietly, placing a hand on Fleur's arm.

"But 'e was zee one-" Fleur protested.

"Please leave it alone," Bill insisted.

"I ... I don't..." Draco started but trailed off.

Everyone stared at him. Even Narcissa was looking purposefully neutral.

"I'm sorry," he whispered to Bill. "I'm so sorry."

Bill squared his shoulders and looked at Draco. "I was at your trial. In the back with the reporters. How old are you?" he asked.

"Eighteen."

Bill nodded. "At that age I would have done the same to save my family. What you did must have taken a lot of courage."

Draco said nothing and the silence stretched on as people looked between Draco and Bill. Fleur was standing very still.

"Well don't just stand in the doorway, boys," Bill said, giving Draco a small smile. "This is a party, isn't it?"

Draco smiled back nervously and allowed Harry to steer him into the room.

***

"This is for you, Granger," Draco said with a smirk, producing a gift from under the tree with a flourish.

Hermione stared blankly at the gift.

Others were talking in small groups around the living room where the tree was standing. Harry, Draco, Ron and Hermione were gathered in a small group to the side of the tree.

"What?" said Draco in a hurt tone as Hermione continued to say nothing. "I figured since - you know..." he gestured at Harry with a quick look at Ron, "Harry and I started hanging out, I thought I'd get his friends something small for Christmas."

"That's nice of you Draco," Harry said pointedly, snapping Hermione out of her gape.

"Oh! Oh - of course," she stammered taking the gift. "Thank you so much."

Draco smiled. "My pleasure."

He and Harry exchanged a small smile over Hermione's head as she tore at the wrapping paper.

"Oh," she breathed when she looked inside.

Ron's head snapped up. "What is it? What did he get you?"

Hermione looked up at Draco. "They're beautiful. What are they?"

"What are what?" Ron demanded.

"The stone is called Lapis Lazuli," said Draco Smiggle. "It comes in several colours, but you seemed like the dark blue type."

"Well thank you," Hermione said and put the earrings on. There were two dark blue stones on each earring. One was hanging an inch below the other on a silver chain and was pear shaped unlike the one further up which was round.

"He got you jewelry?" Ron said, aghast.

"I got you something, too, Weasley," Draco said pulling out an envelope.

Ron took it suspiciously.

"What is it?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "It's a gift certificate to the quidditch supplies shop in Diagon Alley. Honestly. You could have just opened it."

"Oh." Ron looked taken aback at what he clearly thought was a decent gift. "Thanks."

"No problem," Draco said, batting his eyes.

"Hermione and I got you something, too," he said, pulling out a box from under the tree.

Draco opened it carefully. "Liquor," he breathed. He gazed at Ron with shining eyes. "You shouldn't have, Ron."

They stared at him.

"Er ... Weasley," he said, recovering. "It's just that this is very hard to find at this time of year and ... I've always liked this brand ever since I was thirteen." He shot a look at Narcissa who was laughing at something Bill was saying on the other side of the room and didn't notice.

"Well, Hermione picked it out," a reddening Ron explained. "I don't even know what a lychee is."

"Thank you, Granger," Draco cooed at her, forgetting Ron.

Hermione looked amused. "You're welcome, Malfoy," she said with a smirk.

The other groups of people around the room had formed a larger one and Sirius was now telling a story that had everyone laughing. Except Snape. Even with his new appearance, he still managed to look sour.

"-And of course everyone knows it's 'Toujours Pur'," Sirius was saying to the crowd. "It had to be that, because the other option just didn't have the same noble ring to it."

"What was that?" asked Fred who was sitting with Angelina and Charlie.

"Oh Sirius, no," pleaded Narcissa, hiding her face in her hands.

"Come on, Cissy, you know what they say: Once you go Black..." Sirius prompted.

Everyone turned to look at her. She looked torn between amusement and embarrassment.

"You'll never go back," she recited.

The crowd roared with laughter, including Narcissa who seemed to have decided on amusement. Snape's lips twitched.

Draco took this opportunity to pull Harry aside into the hall. It was quieter here.

"What's up," Harry asked.

Draco produced a tiny box from his pocket and handed it to Harry. "Your Christmas present," he explained.

Harry looked at it. "A ring? Gee, Draco, I don't know what to say. This is all so sudden..."

Draco hit him. "It's charmed to expand to its proper size when you remove the bow, you prat. I couldn't carry it all the way here with everything else we were bringing."

"It's that big of a ring, is it?" Harry said.

Draco hit him again.

"Ow!"

"Open it."

Harry placed the gift on the floor and pulled off the bow. Instantly it expanded to a long box that filled the width of the hallway. "Weird ring," he said, and ducked.

"Hurry up," said Draco the Impatient.

Harry unwrapped the rest of the present and pulled it out of its box. "Wow, Draco, this is really nice," he said, looking at the shining black acoustic guitar. "Thank you." He picked it up and tried a few chords.

"That's not all it does," Draco said quickly. He took the guitar from Harry and showed him a tiny button on the side. "Press it."

Harry did and the guitar changed shape in his hands to a sleek electric guitar. He stared, speechless.

"And it's enchanted so you don't need to - plug it into anything. And these buttons help you control how loud it is and where you want to direct the sound to. Yes." Draco said all of this very fast.

"Draco, this is incredible," Harry said, still staring at the guitar. "This must have been really hard to find."

"Oh, it was nothing," Draco said with a wave of his hand. "Mother went to school with the drummer in The Weird Sisters and they knew a Muggleborn who helped me with it."

"You got this custom made?" Harry asked.

Draco smiled in a self-satisfied sort of way. "Merry Christmas, Harry."

Harry grinned. "I love it," he said. "Check out what I got for you. Come on." He grabbed Draco's hand and led him up the stairs to his bedroom.

"Nice rug," Draco commented. "Very colourful."

"Don't mock me," Harry said darkly. "I don't believe in using wardrobes to store clothes; they get more air on the floor. Don't judge my lifestyle choices!"

Draco smiled politely and took a step back. "Wouldn't dream of it." He turned his attention to the walls. "And these were all done by you?" he asked, referring to the crayon-on-canvas skies.

"Yes," Harry said proudly. "Ron and Hermione don't like them, but they are my outlets of expression."

Draco looked at him sideways. "I see."

"No one understands my pain."

"They're beautiful."

"You're not just saying that?" Harry asked hopefully.

"I know I couldn't do anything like this," Draco said truthfully.

Harry beamed.

Draco smiled nervously back.

"Oh, here's your present," said Harry going over to the bed. He produced a very long, badly wrapped present from beneath it.

Draco's heart sped up as he looked at what was clearly a broom. Carefully he picked it up and tore off the rest of the paper.

"It's a Qwiksilver," Harry explained. "From the company Firebolt almost bankrupted. They released it two weeks before Christmas and Ron told me it's supposed to be really good. Apparently it can match the Firebolt."

Draco stared at him.

"I figured you wouldn't have wanted a Firebolt," Harry said with a grin.

"No," Draco said carefully, looking uneasy. "This is much better."

Harry looked at him. "But...?"

Draco suddenly smiled brilliantly at Harry. "I just hope you don't get too jealous, Potter," he said, slipping back into the name he used to use for Harry that he only now used when he wanted to sound superior or indifferent. "With this broom, I could out race you any day." He paused to examine it. "I think it's even bigger than yours."

Harry laughed and held the door open for Draco so they could return downstairs. "Dream on, Malfoy."

***

"That went well," Lupin commented as the last of the Weasleys trickled out the door at three in the morning.

"Better than I suspected," Sirius agreed.

Lupin, Sirius and Harry were gathered around the kitchen table drinking tea, and studiously ignoring everything that needed to be cleaned up.

Harry stirred his tea thoughtfully. "I still can't believe Snape-"

"Looks like that! I know!" Sirius said.

"I was going to say I can't believe he's dating Draco's mum, but his looks are weird, too," said Harry.

Lupin smiled. "I want to feel guilty because I hit him with that burning spell, but his looks have gotten so much better..."

Sirius stared at him. "I don't believe it," he said.

Lupin looked guilty. "What?"

"You actually feel guilty about Snape, don't you," Sirius accused, looking half incredulous, half amused.

Lupin took another sip of his tea. "I can't help it. I didn't know he was on our side during the final battle."

"Moony!"

"What?"

Sirius looked like he was going to say more, but shook his head and took a sip of tea. "You're nuts," he finally decided to say.

Harry yawned. "I'm going to bed," he said, standing up.

Sirius and Lupin slowly stood as well.

"This can wait until tomorrow," Lupin said, gesturing around.

With a wink at Harry, Sirius added: "Or until whenever."

They climbed the stairs and found a package on the first landing. To Sirius Black, it said.

"Open it already, Sirius," Harry said.

"Is it from you?" he asked, looking puzzled.

"No."

"The window at the end of the hall is open," Lupin pointed out. "An owl could have delivered it anytime."

Sirius shrugged and untied the bow. Immediately something rushed up from out of the box and took shape. A bright white sphere floated ominously at shoulder height in front of the three men who all stood frozen in surprise.

"It's a boggart," Lupin said.

"I'm not afraid of glowing balls," Sirius pointed out, examining the thing closer.

"I ... think ... it's a moon, Sirius," Harry said.

Lupin said nothing.

"Right," said Sirius after a moment and waved his wand. A nipple appeared in the centre of the moon. "And now it's not."

Harry snorted with laughter and the boggart disappeared.

Sirius turned and grinned at him.

"I'm actually going to go to sleep this time," Harry said, still smiling. "Goodnight."

"Night Harry," Sirius said as Harry disappeared into his room. Sirius and Lupin walked down the hall until they came to the door to Sirius's room. "Goodnight, Remus."

"Merry Christmas," Lupin said softly.

Sirius looked at him.

"What's wrong?" Lupin asked.

Sirius smiled with half his mouth and his eyes twinkled up at Lupin, an expression that had won over the hearts of many a Gryffindor girl in his time. He placed his arms on Lupin's shoulders and pulled him into a hug.

Lupin, surprised, jumped at Sirius's gesture, but returned his hug, pleased at a Christmas night he spent in the company of those he loved.

"Merry Christmas," Sirius returned and let go of him. He did the smile thing again and went into his room.

Lupin let out a quiet laugh, shook his head, and walked down the hall to his own room.

***

Term began during the middle of a snow storm. Draco sat in the library listening to the wind whistling outside the windows. It was barely after five, but the sun had set and the world had turned blue.

"Draco. I was looking for you."

Draco snapped out of his daze and turned and saw Blaise walking over to him. Blaise mostly hung out with Ravenclaws because they were 'the hottest house' so Draco thought it was a little strange that he would have gone looking for Draco.

"How are you, Blaise?" he asked.

Blaise sat down across from him, straddling the chair backwards and regarding the room with mild hatred.

"What wrong with you?" Draco asked dryly. "Didn't get anything nice for Christmas?"

"No," Blaise replied absently. "One can never have enough socks. Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a pair. People will insist on giving me magical sex toys."

Draco raised an eyebrow.

Blaise gave him a disarming smile. Then it faded and he shifted uncomfortably.

"You're good friends with Pansy," he said eventually.

It wasn't really a question but Draco nodded anyway.

"And she's friends with Daphne and Tracy and even the hot Hufflepuff, right?" Blaise asked, clearly agitated about something.

"There's a hot Hufflepuff?" asked a bewildered Draco.

"Eh. Maybe it's a Gryffindor," Blaise conceded.

"Maybe...?"

"And she's even close with Rosmerta, and no one would disagree she's got looks," Blaise continued.

"Madam Rosmerta is marrying Pansy's brother this fall," Draco told him. "It's no wonder they're close."

Blaise looked curious. "But she must be fifty," he said.

"Andrew Parkinson is 31. It's not too bad," Draco said.

"Well you're dating a Gryffindor; I guess anything is possible, right?" Blaise joked.

Draco's smile wavered. "You think I'm dating a Gryffindor?" he asked.

"What, you think Pansy is the only one who knows anything around here?" Blaise asked with a raised eyebrow. "Everyone knows about you and Potter."

"Everyone knows?" Draco repeated, horrified.

"Truthfully? No. Mandy put it together," Blaise told him. "Someone asked Snape how his Christmas had been, and he said he spent it with his girlfriend's son's 'cherie d'amour'. He spat it out between clenched teeth, so Mandy said it probably couldn't be anyone other than Potter. The problem is most people know about Snape and your mum."

"Really?" Draco decided he had to start paying attention to the local gossip.

"Don't worry, little one, I won't tell anyone about you and Potter and Mandy doesn't care enough to repeat gossip. There's new drama with her and Terry Boot anyway," Blaise said.

"I thought you were dating her," Draco said with a scowl. He hated being called 'little one' by Blaise who was only three inches taller than him.

"No, no, that's ancient history," Blaise said. "Really, Draco, keep up. Talk to Pansy; she knows things."

"What did you want with Pansy anyway?" Draco asked, suddenly remembering why Blaise first sat down anyway.

"Oh, nothing," Blaise said, his features rearranging themselves into something that looked like irritation. "I was just wondering why she spends so much time with that Bulstrode cow since she seems to have good taste in all her other friends. Pansy and I have a Divination project we're supposed to work on together, but Bulstrode seems to be with her all the time."

"Mmm," said Draco neutrally. He seemed to be the only person in the school who didn't take Divination aside from Harry.

The door to the library opened and Millicent Bulstrode strode into the room with Susan Bones.

"Hey Milly!" Blaise called. "How's it going?"

Millicent paused and stared at him with contempt. "It's not," she said with a mean smirk. "Going. Anywhere. Especially not with you."

Blaise opened his mouth in feigned gall. He threw up his hands. "That's harsh, girl," he called after her. "What did I do, eat the last of your chocolates?"

Millicent retreated to the other side of the library, a single finger thrown over her cherry coloured head.

"What, does she think glowing hair will draw our attention away from that arse that follows her around?" Blaise said with an uncharacteristic snort.

"Maybe you could use this time to find Pansy," Draco suggested to Blaise who was still glaring across the room.

"Right. Thanks," he said quickly, and strode out of the room.

***

Harry and Draco sat in the window sill in an empty corridor on the third floor playing chess.

"Check," said Harry.

"Where?" demanded Draco.

"My knight has your king," he said smugly.

"Bah," Draco retorted.

The game continued in silence for another 20 minutes until Draco finally won with a cunning move that involved one of his pawns making a desperate move to the end of the board and becoming a queen.

"Bloody Slytherins," Harry muttered.

"We just understand how to manipulate the game better, Harry," Draco said with a satisfied smile.

"Oh yeah?"

"Of course," said Draco. "We see things that other's can't." He paused. "Like the thing with professors Black and Lupin."

Harry shifted on the stone and leaned against the glass. "About that. I see it," he conceded. "I think you're right about them."

"Ha," said Draco.

"So what are we going to do about it," Harry asked. "Since you know all about this sort of stuff, that is."

"No need for sarcasm, Harry," Draco chided. "And keep up; I've already put Phase One into place."

"Phase One?" asked a mystified Harry.

"Yes: Get Black To Notice His Feelings For Lupin," Draco said dramatically.

Harry paused. "That doesn't have a great ring to it," he remarked.

"No," agreed Draco, "but it's really the action that counts." He paused and smirked at Harry. "How did Black like that Boggart?"

Harry's moth dropped open. "That was you?" he asked.

"Of course," replied Draco.

"Why would you send a Boggart?"

Draco paused and looked thoughtful before he spoke. "Love is a powerful thing. It can make us do all sorts of ridiculous things. But love, however powerful, will always come second to fear."

Harry considered this.

"What did it turn into?" Draco asked brightly.

Harry thought back. "A full moon," he said. "Just like what Lupin's turns into."

Draco smiled. "I know. After Professor Snape told us he was a werewolf, his Boggart in class suddenly made sense. Merlin, this is so good."

"But how does that relate to Sirius being in love with Lupin?"

"I thought his fear might have something to do with losing Lupin," he explained, still looking pleased. "This is better than I had hoped for. He looses his friend each time on the full moon. Don't you see, Harry?"

Harry nodded. "That makes sense. What's Phase Two?"

"Harry!" exclaimed Draco looking scandalised. "Phase One is not yet complete! Just give me a chance!"

Harry rolled his eyes and pulled out his guitar. "I wrote a new song," he said. "Want to hear?"

Draco looked at the gift he had given Harry and smiled. "Sure."

Harry struck a chord. The right notes sounded.

"Oh ... last year at Hogwarts,

School will soon be done,

I won't miss Snape,

But I will miss all the fun."

Draco tilted his head to one side. "Why Harry, was that actually in key?" he said with a smile.

"My God, I believe it was," said Ron coming down the corridor towards them.

Harry turned and grinned at Ron and Dean and Seamus who were with him. "What did you think?" he asked.

Ron nodded. "Definitely in key," he said. Then he turned to Draco who had gone still and regarded the Gryffindors wearily. "Malfoy," he said not unkindly.

"Weasley," Draco admitted.

"Hermione's looking for you," Ron said to Harry. He looked at him carefully. "Have you talked to her lately? She's been a little off since school started in September."

"Off?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Seamus added. "More nervous. Like she's expecting to be attacked or something."

"Maybe she's thinking she got more than she bargained for when you two started dating, Ron," suggested Harry.

Dean shrugged. "Well, we all went through a tough time during the war-"

"Ok!" said Harry loudly. "I'll talk to Hermione. Do you guys want to go play Quidditch or something?"

"I should go finish this Defense Against the Dark Arts stuff," Dean mumbled and walked away.

"Going to see your mystery woman?" Seamus called after him.

"Mystery woman?" Ron asked.

Seamus grinned. "I think he's seeing someone."

"I thought Ginny wanted to get back together," Harry said.

Seamus shook his head. "After she left him so abruptly for you, I think Dean decided he could do better. I think he's right. I mean, not like he can do any hotter than Ginny," he said with a look at Ron, "but they weren't right for each other. He needs someone a little more into him."

"Don't worry, mate," Ron said. "I never thought Ginny was that interested in him. I just feel bad that she hasn't started seeing anyone since..." He gestured vaguely.

The other three nodded knowingly. Everyone felt the weight of the war when they saw Ginny using a stick to get through the hallways.

The sound of heels clicked rapidly down the hallway, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"There you are!" said Pansy Parkinson accusingly.

Draco jumped. "What?" he asked irritably.

"I need your help," she said.

"Fine," said Draco quickly.

"You don't want to know what she wants?" asked Ron with obvious surprise.

"Oh ... yeah," said Draco. "But I'll probably help her anyway."

"We both will," added Harry.

Ron blinked.

Pansy smiled. "Good. As you know, most of The Three Broomsticks was destroyed by Death Eater attacks during the war, and Rosmerta has had half the bar sectioned off ever since she reopened. The problem is that she's not getting enough customers anymore and she needs to hire someone to disperse the destructive magic spells properly."

"How awful," said Ron and Seamus in unison, who were both avid worshippers of Rosmerta.

"Yes," agreed Pansy. "Now she might have to declare bankruptcy, so I am holding a talent show in February to raise money for her to repair the rest of the bar and reopen. It's on the full moon."

"Why the full moon?" Harry asked.

"It's the most magical," Pansy explained impatiently. "Everyone knows that."

"True," Seamus agreed.

"I'm sure you two have some talents," Pansy continued. "Can you dance or anything?"

Harry and Draco gaped at her.

Ron and Seamus broke into fits of laughter.

"What is so funny?" Pansy demanded.

"You think they're going to get up on stage and dance?" Ron wheezed. "I would pay to see that."

Harry nodded. "Ok," he said.

"Yeah," agreed Draco.

Ron looked betrayed.

"I'll see you later to sort out a time spot," she said and clicked back down the hall from whence she came.

"Unbelievable," Ron said as Seamus burst into laughter again.

***

It was just after lunchtime on a Sunday when there was a knock on the door.

Lupin looked up from grading papers. "Yes?"

The door opened and Sirius stuck his head in. "Hey Moony," he said.

Lupin smiled at the use of his nickname; he always liked it when people addressed him by name. After years of being an outcast, the use of his name always seemed special somehow. Sirius calling him by the nickname the Marauders used seemed even more personal.

"Hi Padfoot."

"What are you doing, grading papers?" Sirius asked sitting on his bed in the corner of the room.

"Third year Slytherins," he replied.

"Sounds boring, let's go out."

Lupin looked up. "Where did you have in mind?"

Sirius pretended to think about it looking up into the air. "Hmm ... I don't know. How about the Forbidden Forest?" He cast his eyes back down to catch Lupin's reaction and grinned at him.

Lupin looked puzzled. "Why?" he asked. "Students will see us going in, and besides, it's freezing out there."

"It wouldn't be if we had warmer coats," he said, and with a wink, transformed into a dog.

A slow smile crossed Lupin's face. There was a full moon tonight.

"All right, Sirius," he said. "Tonight then."

The dog gave a happy bark.

***

That night Harry and Draco sat on the floor just outside of the Gryffindor common room.

"A dance routine?" said Harry, taking the parchment with a yawn. "Like what, a waltz?"

Draco took it back and drew a line through some words on the paper.

"This is hopeless," Harry said, leaning his head back against the wall and yawning again.

"Maybe. It's a pity you can't juggle," Draco commented. "Then I could twirl my baton and we could get Weasley to jump through a hoop or something."

Harry snorted.

"Fine," Draco continued, "we could always transfigure something into a pole and perform a daring striptease. If only you had the legs for it."

"What's wrong with my legs?" Harry demanded.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Can you get your feet behind your head?"

"I ... don't want to know."

Draco smirked.

Then he said, "It's your turn to come up with something, then. I can't keep coming up with all these ideas. Especially when you don't like any of them."

"Like, what, the waltz?" Harry asked. "Like we were actually going to get up there and... and..."

He paused thoughtfully.

Draco spoke in a singing voice. "Harrrrry! Trailing off like that only makes people think you have an idea. Which we both know is impossible since Gryffindors never-"

"I have an idea," Harry interrupted. "But you're not going to like it."

"The suspense is killing me," Draco returned.

"Well, there's this new muggle sensation..."

***

Ginny made her way down the stairs of Gryffindor tower with Hermione. She was surprised that Hermione had taken an interest in her idea at all, but everyone had changed somewhat this year, and she supposed Hermione was no different.

"I read that Australian Sea Salt is the best for this sort of thing," Hermione was saying up ahead of her. "So I had some owled in yesterday morning - there's a quaffle at the bottom of the stairs, Gin - but I don't know if it will be enough."

"I felt that bag. There must have been enough to kill someone with," Ginny remarked, circumventing the ball on the floor. "You need to relax, Hermione."

She heard Hermione sigh ahead of her.

"I've never done anything like this," she said "I'm a little anxious, maybe. It just - and I can't believe I'm saying this - it just seems so Muggle, you know? Like it can't be actual magic."

"Well-"

"But of course I know it is," Hermione went on, sounding ever so slightly out of breath as they walked through the common room. "Ancient magic that's just not used as often anymore because it's not as practical. I just think..."

"-like the Tornadoes have a chance this year-"

"-Snape set another foot just because-"

"-thought I was going to die of embarrassment-"

"-doesn't have the balls to keep us out-"

"-mean you actually mixed eye of newt with-"

"-yeah, but he's so cute, though-"

As she was prone to do lately, Ginny became lost in the sea of voices in the common room. They swirled around her, making her lose track of what Hermione was saying. Somewhere she could hear Dean's laughter, and Colin's voice, filled with worry asking if anyone had seen Harry, and her brother talking Quidditch with Seamus...

A hand grabbed her arm. She jumped.

"We're at the portrait," Hermione said in her ear.

"Oh ... yeah, of course," she said. "After you."

***

The first thing Hermione saw when she climbed out of the common room was Harry sliding to his knees in front of Draco Malfoy holding what looked like a broken broom handle up to his mouth.

"Ta-da!" he announced.

Hermione stared.

"Is that Harry?" asked Ginny behind her.

Hermione shook herself, thankful that Ginny did not witness this.

"Hey Ginny," Harry said.

"What are you doing on the floor?" she asked.

"You can hear that, Weasley?" Draco asked.

"Mal-? Oh." Ginny giggled.

Hermione grinned amusedly and Harry quickly stood up.

"It's not what you think," he said, flushing.

"It's none of my business," said Ginny, still looking amused.

Hermione smiled. Ginny had figured it out weeks ago.

"Harry, Colin's looking for you," Ginny said. "I hear him asking around the common room."

Harry groaned.

Draco turned to him. "I told you. He's following you around to find the secret of your greatness. Longbottom paid him."

Harry shot him a dark look. "Pay no attention to Draco, here. He's very sick."

"You'll see, Potter," Draco said forebodingly.

"Where are you two going?" Harry asked them.

"We're trying out some ancient magic," Hermione told them. "It's a simple protection spell, but it's done the old fashioned way: without wands, and calling on the elements to help with the spell. Plus, it's a full moon."

"What's that got to do with anything?" Harry asked.

Hermione stopped, surprised. "Full moons are the most magical," she said. "Honestly, Harry, everyone knows that."

Harry turned to Draco and Draco shrugged.

"What were you two doing?" Hermione asked.

"Oh." Harry ducked his head and laughed. "I was just showing him - Hermione, you know about the new muggle craze surrounding... what are they - boy bands. Yes! Boy bands."

Hermione stared at him, at a loss for words. Part of her mind was starting to put two and two together, but the other half was desperately trying to stop an answer from forming.

"Pansy wants us to put on some sort of show for the thing she's organising next month," Draco explained lazily. "Harry came up with this idea to perform like muggles. I didn't like the idea at first, but now that I see it, I can see the idea really has merit."

Hermione choked.

"So we just need three more guys to make up the typical group," Harry explained. "Ron might, and Draco says Zabini will if he thinks it will get more women to like him. Now all we need is a fifth. Preferably someone who can dance."

"You're kidding, right?" asked Hermione, who had seen much more of the muggle world than Harry had in recent years and knew exactly what a Boy Band was. She had the most terrible image in her head of how this might go down.

"No," Harry told her. "Do you know of anyone?"

"I know ... well, no, he's not from around here ... I can't help you."

"Ok, well we should go practice," Harry said. "See you around."

Hermione watched them walk away.

"No one can," she finished.

***

Millicent Bulstrode threw her head back and laughed.

Blaise Zabini threw his copy of the Prophet at her.

Pansy Parkinson looked up from her copy of Starlight, Starbright to observe the Scene in the common room.

Harry Potter brightened as the suspicious looking Slytherins in the common room turned their attention away from him as Millicent rolled up the paper to hit Blaise over the head with it.

Draco Malfoy rested his head in his hands, but no one paid any attention to that.

"I was only asking if muggle women liked that sort of thing out of curiosity, you sick shrew," Blaise said accusingly at Millicent. "I never said I was actually interested in their little show."

"Blaise, darling, you are so vain you wouldn't know if the room was on fire so long as there was a mirror in it," Millicent told him. "Of course you're going to do the show; how else would everyone get to look at you all at once?"

She was leaning against the wall of the hallways leading to the showers. She was wearing weathered boots, a bandana around her head, a thin housecoat, square reading glasses and still looking thoroughly amused. How she still had the upper hand in an argument about appearance was anyone's guess.

Blaise glared at her. "Isn't it about time for your weekly shower, Mil?" he said scathingly. "Say what you will about my upkeep; at least I won't accidentally contract the plague."

A couple younger Slytherins by the fire laughed in appreciation.

"No, no," she continued, oblivious to the growing support for her enemy, "you would get it quite intentionally. You'd do it to win the attention of one of your Ravenclaw - oh, surely there's a word I can use that's not 'goldiggers'." She paused. "No, that sounds about right. Get bent, Zabini. I hope you die a miserable death after surviving water torture and getting hit by a Quidditch team."

She left.

Draco looked up. "Could we?" he asked impatiently. "It's just that the show is less than a month away, so we need to know if you're in or out, Blaise."

Blaise kept glaring at the doorway.

"It's really great that you're doing this, Draco," Pansy said, beaming at him from across the room.

Draco gave her a puzzled look. "Of course," he said. "Why wouldn't I do it?"

"Yeah," she said, smiling brightly. Then she looked conspicuously at her watch and left the dungeons in a rush.

Draco looked after her. "You'd think with the stress of her brother's wedding in the summer and NEWTs coming up she'd want to avoid any more multitasking," he commented to no one in particular.

"Oh, she's getting help," Blaise snapped.

Draco looked mildly interested. "Oh? From who?" he asked.

Blaise shrugged as angrily as, perhaps, it was possible to shrug.

"Maybe from that Ravenclaw she's dating," Goyle put in thoughtfully.

Everyone turned around to look at him. He looked around, clearly startled by the attention.

"I thought someone said she was dating a Ravenclaw," he said defensively.

"Who?" demanded Draco. Harry looked up at the note in his voice. "Who said that?"

Goyle shrugged. "I thought everyone knew."

Blaise scoffed derisively. "Like Pansy would date outside Slytherin."

He made a noise of extreme irritation. Nobody paid him any attention.

"I don't know," Crabbe said from beside Goyle, causing the heads to swivel in unison. "She hangs around all the time with Brown from Gryffindor."

"What?!" exploded Blaise, for no reason in particular.

Draco spared him an annoyed look before turning back to Crabbe.

"She does?" he asked in more reasonable tones.

Crabbe looked somewhat upset by Blaise's yelling. "They study astronomy together on Wednesdays." His voice dropped in volume. "I thought everyone knew," he added.

"Well, this is news," Draco said, turning to Harry who had been previously enjoying the absence of the Slytherins' suspicious glares.

A look of great interest exactly failed to pass over Harry's features as they were mostly preoccupied with a rather grotesque yawn. When he noticed people looking at him he instead pulled off a dazed look of pre-concussion quite well.

Blaise laughed suddenly and loudly.

"It is?" said Harry, who had decided that perhaps a look of polite confusion might work best on this crowd.

"Oh yes," Draco said. "If Pansy is indeed consorting with other houses, that means she probably forgot to change the locking spell on the case that contains the books about vampires. You see, Harry, I've been wanting to study them ever since I heard a story about this one vampire who could turn into a bat. I thought that if I could turn into a bat animagus, then perhaps I would become a vampire as well."

Harry resumed his dazed look, mid-concussion. "How does that ... why would you want to become a vampire?"

"Obviously for the cape. You see--"

"Oh for Merlin's sake, I'll do it!" Blaise interrupted viciously.

Draco turned slowly and regarded Blaise with interest. "You will?" he asked politely.

"Yes," Blaise hissed. "If it means so bloody much to you."

Draco smiled brilliantly at him. "Why thank you. I'll see you at rehearsal tonight, then."

Blaise folded his arms with an air of what seemed like furious dignity and made a trumpeting sound like a mad hippo.

Draco's smile did not waver. "Come on, Harry, it's time to find the other members of the group. Let it never be said I don't belong in Slytherin," he added under his breath.

And with that, he pulled Harry bodily towards the door, giving Harry little opportunity to uncross his eyes before they reached the door.

It was perhaps this reason why Harry hit his head solidly on the door he was being pulled through. And though this had the effect of disarming the remaining suspicious-looking Slytherins, it also caused him to sink to the floor, unconscious. Ironically, this made him look slightly less concussed.

***

Ron peered down at Harry who was lying in the hospital wing. "Looks dead, all right," he commented casually.

Draco made a distressed noise from the other side of the bed. Ron glanced up at him, mouth twitching.

Hermione huffed loudly. "Honestly, Ronald, it's bad enough that Malfoy killed Harry-"

"Cah!" squawked Draco in protest.

Hermione laughed with Ron for a bit and went back to reading her book. It was too easy, really. Draco was in pieces after Harry sustained a bump to the head yesterday and fell asleep. Madam Pomfrey assured them that it was nothing serious and Harry simply needed some sleep. Then she treated them to a lecture on why friends don't let friends stay up every night of the week creating works of crayon.

A guilt-ridden Draco had been staring anxiously at Harry ever since Madam Pomfrey had let them in to the hospital wing that morning. Ron and Hermione were very amused at the whole situation and kept teasing Draco every so often.

After about 20 minutes, Harry stirred and opened his eyes.

"Hey," said Ron, who was the first to notice.

"Hey?" Harry returned, looking around in mild confusion. He spotted Draco. "What's wrong with you?" he asked.

Draco said nothing, clearly unable to speak.

Hermione's expression softened as she looked at Draco. "Malfoy's been-" she started. "We were just worried about you, Harry."

"I feel fine," he said.

"Pomfrey told us you were just sleeping," said Ron, shooting a quizzical look at Hermione. "We were just waiting for you to wake up. We weren't that worried." He paused. "Well, except Malfoy who-"

Hermione's exasperated sound stopped him.

Draco finally spoke. "Yeah, fine," he said angrily. "I was worried about him. Is that so wrong, Weasley?"

Ron paled a little. "Well, no, but-"

"But what?" Draco demanded. "I've got a lot on my mind right now, and Harry worried me. Do you realise I have a few short weeks to put together a dance routine for Pansy's show? I still need two more performers for the group, figure out costumes, and then Harry passes out right in front of me. Of course I was bloody well worried!"

Ron opened and closed his mouth a few times.

Harry made a strange noise that was hard to place. He stared down at the blankets.

Draco crossed his arms and sat back in the chair. He stared moodily out the window next to the bed.

"I'm sorry, Malfoy," Ron said eventually, sounding somewhat shaken. "I didn't realise you were seriously concerned."

"And I have my NEWTs to be thinking about as well," Draco added.

Ron looked around, as if not sure how to proceed. "Look," he finally said with some effort. "If you need another group member, I can help out."

"Really," said Draco coldly.

"Yeah," he said, sounding a bit more certain. "I used to play Bill's old drums during the summer and crowds have never been a problem for me, so... why not?"

"How courageous of you, Weasley."

Harry coughed.

"Very well," he said, rising from the chair with dignity. "I accept your offer. I will see you by the front entrance tonight with a plan for getting a fifth member."

Ron looked helplessly at Hermione as Draco swept passed them. She stared sadly back and shrugged in response.

Harry finally looked up as Draco headed towards the door behind Ron and Hermione. As he reached the door, he looked back at Harry and winked. Harry grinned back.

***

The four boys sat on the main staircase by the front entrance considering candidates for a fifth member of their group.

"Crabbe?" Blaise suggested sardonically.

Draco shot him a Look.

"What about Colin Creevey?" asked Ron.

Harry shot him a Look and shook his head.

Colin Creevey walked slowly past them less than a minute later casting hopeful glances in their direction.

"Creepy," Draco said eventually.

"You know, Malfoy," began Ron, "I think your theory might-"

Harry stopped him. "Don't even say it," he said darkly. "It is too creepy to even consider it."

"Creepy Creevey," said Blaise. At everyone's looks he elaborated: "What? Don't tell me you've never heard anyone say that before."

Harry shook himself. "This isn't helping."

"No," Draco agreed. "We're still no closer to finding someone to be our fifth. Not to mention we don't know anyone who has any sort of ideas about muggle dancing except Harry, and forgive me if I'm somewhat hesitant to take your advice on what constitutes good dancing."

"Hey," protested Harry weakly.

"I saw you at the Yule Ball," Draco said.

Blaise snorted in agreement and Ron's guilty expression said more clearly than words that he agreed.

Harry shrugged. "Fine. We still need to find a dancer, though."

The boys sat in contemplative silence.

"Did somevon vant a dance instructor?" asked a thick voice by the doors.

***

"-the rest of the year-"

"-Sprout said he-"

"-Like Snitchnip is even a real rule-"

"-replaced him with Sacha-"

"-is still in love with-"

"-staying on the fourth floor, you say?-"

"-dreamy accent-"

Ginny navigated her way through the Great Hall during breakfast that morning, catching up on the gossip as she went. Harry's voice drew her near and he stood up to offer her a chair.

"Is it true what they're saying?" she asked, sitting down.

"No," Hermione said quickly.

Ginny raised an eyebrow above her iridescent sunglasses.

"I mean, no, Viktor Krum is not here because he is in love with me, and no, we are not carrying on an illicit affair in the Quidditch shed with professor Snape this evening," Hermione clarified. "If that's what you meant."

"I was just asking if he was teaching flying lessons to the first years at Hogwarts, actually," Ginny said.

"Oh, yes," Hermione said. "That's true."

Ginny suspected she had gone red, and smiled to herself before a wave of self-pity crashed over her at the realisation that Hermione was going red, and Ginny would never know for sure.

Dean was still more or less ignoring her. Not that she blamed him. She blamed herself for treating him so badly when she got together with Harry. She supposed it was some sort of karmic retribution that Harry decided to come out of the closet a year later.

"He's also helping us with our performance for the show," Harry was saying somewhere to her right.

She wanted to get out of there, she wanted to run. She wanted to see the smile on Harry's face that she could only hear as he described their productive rehearsal that went on into the night. He had such a beautiful smile.

"Pass the toast," she said instead.

"Sure thing, Gin," Ron replied, taking her plate. "There's some of the fruit salad there, too. Pineapple, mango, watermelon, and... something pale-ish."

"Lychee," Hermione said.

"What was that look for?" asked Ron, sounding hurt. "Don't just roll your eyes," he added. "Harry!"

"What?"

"Hermione's being mean."

Ginny darkly suspected more eye rolling.

"I suppose," Harry admitted.

There was a pause, and then the three of them burst out laughing.

"I'm not hungry," Ginny said, standing up. "I'll get to class by myself."

She turned and walked quickly away, her cane clacking loudly on the floor despite the din of noises in the room. Her leg collided with part of a bench - something that hadn't happened in a while - and she was forcibly reminded of the bruising her legs had sustained the first few weeks using the cane. Not that she could see the bruising, she reminded herself, her mother drew her attention to it one day after gasping as though she had walked in on something horrible. And maybe she had, thought Ginny. Maybe she should just kill herself and get rid of the horrible inconvenience to everyone's lives.

She pushed through the doors into the quieter corridor.

Everyone stared at her like she was a problem for them; she could feel it. Every time she asked Hermione's opinion on a set of robes, or every time she asked Ron to help her with food... she knew they resented her for it.

Suicide wasn't a serious option for her, but she considered it ironically every now and then, especially when she hated herself more than usual. Today was a bad day, though she was of the opinion that they were all bad days now. It's just that some days were worse than others.

***

"How's your sister, Weasley?" Draco asked at rehearsal that night.

Ron was taken aback. "Er ... fine, I guess. She's blind, you know."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Really?" he asked. "I hadn't noticed."

Ron narrowed his eyes.

Harry quickly intervened. "Ginny's fine, Draco, thanks for asking. He's only trying to be nice, Ron," Harry added in an undertone.

Ron nodded, relaxing somewhat.

"Hokay, people," Viktor said walking to the front of the brightly lit room. He was carrying a cane.

The Room of Requirement had turned into a large room with a wooden floor and white walls except for the wall covered in mirror. Blaise had been surreptitiously staring at his reflection for the past ten minutes as everyone slowly trickled in to the room.

"Excuse me," Blaise drawled, "but how is it you know so much about dancing?"

Viktor Krum smiled. "I vos part of a traveling dance organisation for a month during off season last year in Scotland," he explained. "Ve vere mostly amateurs, but von of the boys knew a lot and taught us all."

Ron frowned. "Why?" he asked incredulously.

Viktor glanced over at him. "Vhy vhat?" he asked, sounding confused.

Ron looked stunned. "You're Viktor Krum," he explained. "You're one of the youngest Quidditch players ever!" When that didn't seem to make an impact on Viktor's facial expression he continued. "Why would you bother with the dancing thing?"

Viktor lifted his chin haughtily and sniffed. "Ve all need our hobbies," he said with dignity.

Draco looked over at Harry and rolled his eyes. "And since Viktor was kind enough to offer to help us," he reminded them, "perhaps we should let him get on with it, don't you think, Weasley?"

Ron made a giving up gesture and nodded at Draco.

"Blaise?" asked Draco.

Blaise tore his eyes away from the mirror with what appeared to be great effort and looked around at Draco. "I was listening," he said, looking guilty.

Draco gave him a tight lipped smile. "Please continue, Viktor."

Viktor produced a cane from somewhere nobody saw - Harry raised an eyebrow at Draco who couldn't respond - and began pacing back and forth at the front of the room.

"Vhat ve need to do first," he explained seriously, "is decide on a name for our groop."

Harry tentatively raised a hand.

"Yes, Potter boy?" he acknowledged.

"Don't we need to learn some dance moves?" Harry asked.

Draco cleared his throat at him and was ignored.

Blaise rolled his eyes and went back to the mirror.

"Like, maybe we should work on that first? Or maybe singing...?" He trailed off with an embarrassed cough.

Viktor narrowed his eyes. "If there vill be no more suggestions from the people who haff not studied the dance-"

He hit his cane sharply on the floor as if to punctuate his speech. They all jumped.

"-ve vill begin."

They looked around at each other.

"Veecly!" he barked.

Ron looked up, surprised. "Yes?" he asked, sounding resentful.

"Vhat do you think a good name vood be?" he asked seriously.

"How about Slytherin's Revenge?" he quipped sarcastically, shooting a glare at Draco.

"Or a Gryffindor's Lack Of Appreciation For The Arts," Draco returned, somewhat substandardly.

Blaise let out an indescribable noise somewhere between a laugh and a sudden punch to the stomach.

"Oh you know what I mean," snapped Draco.

"Unfortunately," Blaise commented with a pained grin.

In a decidedly weird twist of fate, Harry came up with the most acceptable name that could be used in public.

"How about the Firebolt Five?" he asked.

Viktor's cane made merciless contact with the floor again and they all jumped.

"Terrible," he declared.

Blaise agreed with this statement with the angle of his chin.

"Well what do you suggest, Viktor?" Ron asked irritably.

Viktor paused thoughtfully as if he had not yet considered the question.

Ron rolled his eyes audibly at Harry.

"Vhat about the Herm-one-ninnies?" he said.

Ron opened his mouth, paused, and then closed it. Draco stared sadly at the floor. Harry and Blaise both made eye contact and looked away awkwardly after a period of time.

"Vell?" asked Viktor curiously.

It marked a dark day in the history of Hogwarts that no one could actually think of something exactly wrong with this name to refute it with.