Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 70: Harry Makes His Move
An Hour Later
"I didn't know you were such a good dancer," Susan said with a wide grin on her face.
"I know a bit of everything," Harry responded.
It was a true statement as well. Over the years, he had learned a lot by infiltrating himself into Muggle towns and cities. He would use his magic to pass as one of them while raising no suspicions from the others.
This eventually became a hobby of his. When he got bored, he would go into the cities and learn what the Muggles were up to, as well as securing some subjects for his experiments.
'That's also how I met her… Helena.' He had become obsessed after seeing her.
Unfortunately, he had paid a heavy price for that obsession.
"Mmm… I didn't expect to see her tonight." Susan mumbled something under her breath that caught Harry's attention.
He followed her eyes and spotted the figure of a young, beautiful girl with black hair, standing at one side of the venue, next to a table with cold food and drinks.
"Helena…" He kept being reminded of her every time he saw this girl.
Susan heard him. "That's Pansy Parkinson. Who is Helena?" she asked with suspicion.
"Someone from the past. Why didn't you expect to see Miss Parkinson here? Isn't she from an old wizard family as well?" That was the kind of person one would expect to see at a Ministry party.
"You have really been living under a rock for the past month." Susan pointed out. "Lord Malfoy was murdered like three weeks ago." She whispered softly.
"Not only that… there are rumors that the Malfoys have lost their fortune, and Lord Parkinson canceled the engagement between the two families. Pansy must have known that she would be by herself if she came here… that's why."
"I see." He did not put much thought into the repercussions caused by his actions. But it was natural that the death of an important Lord like Lucius Malfoy would become big news all over the country.
"Excuse me. I'll go get us something to drink." Harry said before leaving Susan on the dance floor with a baffled expression.
Pansy looked around absentmindedly while taking sips of the drink in her hand. Her expression changed the moment she saw Harry approach.
"What are you doing here?"
Harry offered her a gentle smile. "It's a party, isn't it?" He served himself something to drink. "So, you came here alone?"
Pansy frowned. "Why do you care?"
"I heard what happened to Malfoy. That's too bad, huh?" Harry commented before taking a sip of his drink. "Mmm… at least it's not pumpkin juice."
Pansy looked furious. "How dare y—"
"There you are." Susan came by. "I got tired of waiting for my drink." She said before putting herself between Pansy and Harry and looking at her. "Pansy! You look fabulous."
"Susan…" Pansy looked away. "So you are with Potter?"
Susan smirked. "I am. And you are… alone? I can imagine that Draco was not in the mood for parties, especially not with you after what your father said to his family."
"That's nice, Susan. As much of a bitch as usual." Pansy was about to walk away when she stopped and glared at Susan. "You should still be careful with that psycho." Her eyes moved to Harry for a moment. "There is something very wrong with him."
Susan stared at her back as she walked away. "Hmph! The spoiled brat can't take the loss." She turned to Harry. "I didn't know you were familiar with Pansy. Can't imagine a Gryffindor even speaking cordially with a Slytherin, to be honest."
"To be truthful, we have not spoken all that much." Harry said.
"Really? Then what was that comment about? She called you a psycho." Susan pointed out.
"I had a little altercation with Draco at the end of the year. I suppose she didn't appreciate my way of handling it."
Susan chuckled. "Did you kick Draco's ass? I would have loved to see that. No one likes that prick."
"Here is your drink." Harry carefully slipped something into the glass while Susan was not looking before handing it to her.
It was just a love potion he purchased at Diagon Alley with a simple additive to make the girl easier to manipulate and more docile. This would be extra effective, considering that Susan seemed to already like him.
'I still can't believe they are legally selling those potions nowadays.' Harry was having a hard time understanding why the Ministry would allow those kinds of potions.
"Mmm, this juice is delicious." Susan drank from her glass without a single suspicion.
"Where is your aunt? I thought she was the guest of honor." Harry asked.
Susan looked around. "She should return soon… mmm… oh!"
"Something wrong?" Harry asked.
"I just saw Hannah leaving the hall with Ernie. I bet those two are going to snog…"
"Is that so?" Harry had no interest in what others were doing. But he needed to find Amelia Bones, as well as place this girl under his complete control.
That would require them to be alone, as he couldn't do it here.
He noted that Susan was starting to lose her balance already, meaning that his potion was working.
"You okay, Susan?" Harry asked with an expression of concern.
"Just… a bit dizzy. Was there any alcohol in that drink?"
"I don't think so." Harry told her. "Perhaps you just need some fresh air." He gently held her by the waist.
"Yeah… fresh air sounds good." Susan shook her head, trying to clear her mind.
"Then I shall accompany you." Harry suggested.
Susan smiled. "What a gentleman you are, Harry."
He passed through the crowd of people and found the closest exit.
They earned a few glances, but no one was too surprised at seeing the two teens going outside the hall. This was a common occurrence during these parties.
The third floor of the Ministry had many private rooms open for the public during their events.
Harry took advantage of this and led the girl into one of these rooms before sealing the door behind them.
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