I hate using my fame for anything, but my fame is one of the things Snape keeps targeting me about. So, I may have hinted something along the lines of how I'd make sure the Daily Prophet was given an exclusive interview from me about how the so-called Boy-Who-Lived was verbally abused right out of the castle by Snape... plus some other things... and that Dumbledore did nothing to stop it, even after numerous complaints. And that I've decided to make my home in France as a result."
Horace laughed and said, "And that would lead to the witches and wizards of magical Britain wanting to string both Snape and Dumbledore up and then begging you to come back. Of course, the Minister won't hesitate to do so, so long as someone else would take the fall."
"Precisely," smirked Harry. "Of course, all Dumbledore really cares about is his reputation. It would be in tatters after something like that. So, he has no problem... as muggles would say... of tossing Snape under a bus, if that's what would be needed to get me to stay."
While they'd been talking, the girls, followed by Neville, walked out of Daphne's bedroom and into Hermione's.
"What I'm sorry to you guys about is that it means he can no longer be biased in his awarding of points," he continued. "It isn't a big thing, this year, due to the visiting delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang; but, it will have a significant impact on next year."
Horace waved it off and said, "Most of us don't care about the points, anyway. I'm surprised you do."
"I don't," he replied. "However, I care that others do; and they'll blame me for it."
"Only the Slytherins," Horace shot back. "The other Houses will probably laud you."
Just then the girls and Neville came back, crossed the floor, and entered Harry's room.
When they entered, he called for Dobby.
The little elf popped in and asked, "Yes, sir?"
"The girls and Neville have just about finished their inspection of our living quarters and'll be back in a moment. Can you organise some butterbeers, juice and small 'nibblies' for us? Oh, and get us a couch for along the end here for two people to sit upon."
"Yes, sir! Right away, sir!" Dobby shot back before disappearing again.
A few moments later, the required drinks and foodstuffs appeared on the coffee table, just as the other three re-entered the room from Harry's bedroom. Then the couch appeared directly facing the fireplace and between but back from the ends of the existing long couches.
Daphne joined him and Hermione on the couch they were on, while Neville and Tracey took seat on the new couch.
Indicating the food and drink, Harry said, "Help yourself, folks." He leaned forward snagging a butterbeer.
That night, after their guests had left shortly before curfew, Harry was heading for bed when Daphne called his attention back. "Harry?" she called.
Turning to look back, he asked, "Yes, love?"
Blushing, she said, "It's okay if you don't wear any boxers tonight."
Harry stood looking at her for a moment, and she feared he'd say 'No'. However, he softly said, "If you don't want me to, then I won't."
Then, with a small smile, he walked into his bedroom, leaving the door open.
After going through his usual ablutions, he walked back into the bedroom and moved to climb into bed when the girls walked in. In they walked, hand in hand, and both weren't wearing any clothes. But both were also blushing a little with small smiles.
Trying not to embarrass them he said, "You both look lovely," and made his way to the bed.
As he climbed in, the girls climbed in either side of him, as usual.
Not wanting to, but offering it anyway, he asked, "As the bond between you two has only just been initiated and needs to be built up, does one of you want to switch with me?"
Neither said anything for a moment until Hermione said, "That's alright, Harry. I'm sure the bond will develop on its own, soon enough. Now, roll over onto your left side, tonight.
As he rolled over he felt Daphne slide back as Hermione slid forward. He slid his left arm up under his pillow and draped the right over Daphne's hip to rest his hand on her upper abdomen. He also felt Hermione's right arm come all the way across both of them to rest on Daphne's hip. Irrespective of their state of dress, it didn't take any of them long to drift off to sleep.
Some time in the middle of the night he woke to a most unusual sensation. He was lying flat on his back with Daphne using his upper left chest as a pillow. And he felt her arm laying across his upper abdomen with her hand holding him under his arm near his false ribs on his right. She was cuddling him as if he was a teddy bear, or something.
However, Hermione was also laying with her head on his upper chest on the right side. But her hand was down holding - him. Her hand wasn't moving, nor was it gripping. And, with the way both witches were pinning his arms out behind them. He couldn't use one of his hands to free himself of her unconscious grip.
Plus, 'he' was now starting to take an interest. He quickly thought of horrid and nasty things, and continued to think of them until, without his realising it, he drifted off to sleep again.
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