A great many groans and sighs were heard as everyone realized who was getting lucky enough to have two girls already lined up for the festivities.
"Yup," Harry gloated, winking at Colin in the 'I'm the man' type way.
"You are so lucky, Harry. I wish I could be as lucky as you," he mused, starry-eyed, which made Harry very uncomfortable.
Suddenly his alarm blared as McGonagall approached with a determined look on her face. "Mr. Potter, what is this I hear that you have two dates for the Ball?"
"That's right," he said, giving her and 'what you going to do about it' look.
"That is completely unacceptable. You will bring one date, or not attend at all. You have constantly stated you are not a student at this school, therefore, I do not see why you should be allowed to come at all," she stated a bit snidely. She refrained from outright sneering, but it was close. Her attitude on this particular child had diminished to bordering detestation. The way he was so rude to everyone, and his flat-out hatred for Dumbledore had seen any pity for him and his predicament fly away weeks ago. She had little left but scorn for the brat. Never in all her years had she had someone so disrespectful. And after everything they had done for him. For him to throw it all in their faces with that hated look of disdain. No, there would be no sympathy for Harry Potter, not until he became the polite young man he used to be, though Albus said that wasn't going to happen.
"Really? Okay," he stated decisively. "Well, girls, sorry to say but you're going to have to find someone else to be your escort. Neville's a good candidate, and I suggest you both go with him and have a great time. I'm out of here," he drawled, his eyes never leaving McGonagall's face. "I'll just have to inform the press that they're booting me out, even though I'm not fully healed, and that this school was responsible for my condition in the first place. Oh, wait, I said that last part at the first task, well I'll just give them the current news then. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll just be leaving," he finished as he got up from the table and made his way to the doors.
McGonagall tightened her lips, she wasn't like Albus, she would call his bluff. The child had nowhere to go. Sirius had not been heard from since he was freed, so he couldn't go there. Remus was likewise unavailable, not that Harry should remember him. The same went for the Dursleys, so the brat wouldn't even know to go there. In conclusion, he was lying, and just calling attention to himself once again.
Harry left the Great Hall and made it to his room unmolested. He gathered what little he had left out of his necklace trunk and packed it up. He'd stay with Sirius, he could see his friends anytime they wanted. They could finish the Room of Requirements, and they could sneak off grounds to visit. Or he and Sirius could sneak into the castle and meet them there. Remus too, if he wanted; however, that man was more rule abiding, so perhaps not. The wards stopped at the tunnel, but since he hid the Shack he was safe there as well. Though, he was seriously considering telling Sirius to sod the school and keep money they were going to give it. But, he could hear Hermione's voice in his head already. That, and he'd made a promise, so he'd keep it. Still, it was a nice visual, telling them the millions they had made only to thumb his nose at them.
Gathering his thoughts and putting on his warm jacket, he left the room and made it down to the common room.
"Harry, are you really leaving?" Luna asked, looking really out of place in the sea of Gryffindors. "Your nargles are coming back," she said, handing him her necklace. Her large eyes watered with unshed tears. She knew that he'd be okay, but she really didn't want to see him leave.
"Yeah, but I'm not going far. You know where I'll be so don't fret," he said, putting on the corked necklace and tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Okay, Harry, just don't go off without an adult, okay. Promise me, please," she pleaded as she hugged him tight.
"I won't," he promised as he gently released her.
"How are we going to continue our lessons?" Neville asked, worried for his friend and hoping he'd stay, if only for that.
"Do what you've been doing, change things up a bit and try new things. You have great place to practice. You don't need me anymore," he said, clapping the other boy on the shoulder. "Besides, I'll be around, don't worry. You watch the girls, okay?" he asked, and Neville nodded firmly and stepped aside.
"You'll keep up your lessons, right?" Hermione asked, tears running down her face.
"Of course," he said, hugging her and reveling in the feel of her as much as he had Luna, only with different feelings in the mix. With Luna is was like holding on to hope, love and sunshine. With Hermione it was holding onto steadfast friendship, bossy sister, and the comfort of home. "You take care. You know where to find me if you need me, right?" he asked, wiping a tear from her face.
Hermione nodded her head, using the back of her hand to swipe another tear.
The twins and everyone else, barring a few, said their good-byes and best wishes as he made his way to the portrait hole. He turned at the hole and said, "Later, everyone. Don't miss me too much." And with that he stepped out.
Three teachers were outside the dorm, looking at him with mixed feelings. Flitwick, who he really didn't know well, seem to have a bit of pride in his eyes. Though, why Harry couldn't tell you. Sprout, who Harry didn't know at all, seem to be very concerned. McGonagall was standing there with pursed lips, and a look that said she just didn't believe he would leave. So, he gave and thumbs up to the tiny charms professor, and sympathetic nod to the herbology professor, and flipped of the transfigurations professor. He then held his head high and left. The teachers followed him to the doors.
"Where do you think you are going, young man?" McGonagall asked, just as he was about to step outside. "You know you are not allowed to leave."
"You," Harry said, pointing his finger at her, "just go through telling me that I had no reason to be here. I agreed. So, don't get your nose out of joint when we're in agreement."
"You know that the Ministry wants you here," was her rebuttal.
"Fuck the Ministry," he stated firmly. "I could give a rat's ass what they want. They've done nothing for me or mine that they didn't have to be bribed into doing. If I never see or hear from them again, well it will be too soon," he said, though he knew it was a bit unfair. Bones had always been straight with him, it's why he respected her more than others. He had no idea what happened to Fudge, and he really didn't care.
"Watch your language, Mr. Potter."
"Fuck you," he snarled. "I have zero respect for you." And with a nod to the other two professors, he turned and walked away. As he walked he started to become invisible. Like he was fading into a nonexistent fog. Less then twenty feet away, he was completely gone from their sight.
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