"I did," he firmly replied. "That did not mean I expected Hermione to actually do that. It was meant to shock him enough, and be embarrassed enough for Hermione, that it caused his mind to... stop thinking about this afternoon and try to think of a way to get the conversation onto a completely different track.
"It worked. Then I asked him if he could help me teach Hermione more about how Houses are created, promoted and demoted. We're heading for the library straight after breakfast and getting onto that.
"That's why he's now eating and is a lot more calmer."
Susan smirked at him and said, "Maybe we wanted him thinking about our breasts." Which had Hannah immediately blush.
Harry smirked back and said, "I wanted him embarrassed; not eager."
When Susan looked down in her own embarrassment, he added, "Besides, it led to me being able to convince him to help educate Hermione. And, that's why I've come over here. I think you should join us and also ask Daphne and Tracey to join us.
"I hope you don't mind me thinking it, but I think educating Hermione up to the level of a Lady Presumptive should be an Alliance project for us of the same age."
Susan said, "I thought Hermione was going for lessons this summer with Lady Longbottom."
"And Lady Ogden, if I remember right," nodded Harry. "But, this is something Neville needs to do, whether he knows it or not, so he doesn't fret so much about the signings later."
Both girls then understood and said they'd go over and talk to Daphne and Tracey in a little while and convince them to come help.
Smiling, Harry gave both a nod, rose and said, "Ladies." And returned to sit with Hermione and Neville.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Twenty minutes later, Harry was walking with Hermione and the other five towards the library. As they walked, she pushed him separate from the group a little and quietly said, "Don't think I didn't know exactly what you were doing by asking Neville if he'd be distracted if I showed him my breasts."
"I knew you would," he smiled.
She tried to scowl at him but couldn't help smiling. "It worked, though."
"Yep," he grinned.
Walking into the library, they found a table large enough for the seven of them up the back and selected it. Then, while the others went in search of the books they wanted, Harry erected a privacy field over the entire table.
Ready, he called Dobby and asked him to bring Hermione's satchel loaded with parchment, quills and ink.
"Yes, Master Harry, Sir," replied the elf before he popped away again.
Dobby was back even before any of the others, and Harry had the lot put on the table, ready.
Daphne and Tracey were the first two to return, carrying a couple of books each.
"These, we think," said Daphne.
Tracey explained, "These are the ones we were taught this."
When the others returned, Hermione was surprised to see the writing paraphernalia already set up and waiting, and sat next to Harry.
"Dobby?" she quietly asked.
"Yep," he replied.
Once everyone was sitting again, he said to the table at-large, "I've erected a privacy and silencing field over the table. We can talk freely without risk of Madam Pince coming over and making a fuss about the noise."
"Good idea," said Susan.
And they got into it.
Hermione was taking quite the prodigious notes, while the others were talking, giving her information and also setting books aside for her to check out and read later.
They worked right through morning tea and almost to lunch.
As the others taught and Hermione listened, Harry took quill and parchment for himself and began to draft a letter to Ted. He wanted his Law-wizard of Record to organise research into the muggle nobility family of Finch-Fletchley.
He still had it in the back of his mind that, if Finch-Fletchley proved to be a worthwhile House, the House be invited to join the Alliance. He was very sure Justin was both a muggleborn and no one else in his family was magical; but, if his nobility carried over into the magical world as he suspected it might, would they be able to create the House known as the Noble and Magical House of Finch-Fletchley based on that nobility?
To that end, he was also listening to what Hermione was being taught regarding the creation of a new House in the magical world and using that in his letter to Ted.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
Surprised by Madam Pince coming over and informing them they needed to hurry if they wanted lunch, the seven hurriedly packed away what they were working on, returned books and made their way out.
The last thing Harry did was remove the silencing charms.
As they walked, Harry asked Neville if he'd like to bring his two ladies to their apartment for a celebration dinner. He was surprised.
After glancing at his two, who had overheard and nodded back, he said, "We'd be honoured. Thank you."
Turning to the two Slytherins he asked, "Ladies? Care to join us? We'll have the room."
Replying for the both of them, Daphne replied, "Yes, thank you. We'd be honoured."
"Good," he firmly nodded. "That now gives me plenty of time to come up with a menu. Any allergies I need to know about?"
No one had any.
Neville asked, "Will you be cooking, Harry?"
"Yup," he grinned. "I don't think any of you have had the opportunity before for a Harry Potter gourmet delight, have you?"
Hermione was quick to add, "Don't worry. You're going to enjoy this. Harry is a wonderful cook."
"He cooks, too?" asked Tracey.
"I don't cook, Tracey," he disagreed. "I... chef!"
Susan asked, "There's a difference?"
"Philistine!" he declared mock-insulted. "Was Picasso a painter? Did Noah just build a big boat? Was Michelangelo just a rock carver? Nay, I say! I... create gastronomic art!"
By then, Hermione was giggling. Attempting to explain, she said, "Harry doesn't just cook, Susan. He treats preparing food as an art form. You're in for a treat.
"He cooked for us all the time at my place. That is, when his house elf, Dobby, didn't block him from doing so."
Neville snickered, "I saw him doing that, a couple times. It was funny."
"Yeah, yeah," snarked Harry. "Laugh it up, chuckles. The Great 'Potterini' will not be denied his rightful place before the altar of food, the stove, this day. That foul fiend - the sawn off little munchkin, Dobby - shall not deny me!"
That had the others relax and even laugh as they walked in through the doors of the Great Hall.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
The five remained in the Great Hall, dining and then talking, until 1.25pm.
Then Neville gave a sigh of relief and said, "We'd better go. We're expected in the Headmistress's office in five minutes."
"Good luck," called Hermione.
Neville and the two girls were about to step away when Neville suddenly froze in shock.
Turning back with a look of almost fear on his face he said, "I don't know where the Headmistress's office even is!"
When the others, except Hermione, looked confused, Harry snickered and said, "Hermione and I do. If you follow me, I'll take you there."
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