"Yeah," Harry muttered, "I figured that the others knew. I actually just sent off a letter to Neville, Daphne and Luna saying 'Thanks for the heads up guys. You all suck.' Amelia was carrying the message to Susan personally and I figured Tracey would've actually had a good laugh about it and purposefully didn't say anything. I didn't think you'd know too…"
Hermione leaned over and kissed him softly. "Harry, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. My parents asked about some things a little while ago and I only realized then that you probably hadn't realized that implication. I apologize for not talking to you sooner and for you having to find out via the goblins. I've been trying to think of a good way to bring it up." She reached into her bag and pulled out three sheets of paper, presenting them to him one at a time. "I've made some lists. This one is a list of partners I feel are most suitable for you in order of compatibility."
"Daphne?" Harry asked squinting at the top name. "What? She's with Tracey."
"She is yes. But this list disregards all prior existing relationships. Besides I've seen how she looks at you sometimes, Harry. She already stands beside you on most things as well. It's just something to consider. Moving on, this list contains partners that I would prefer to be with."
Harry took the second paper from her looking slightly shocked. "That you would…wow…"
"Oh, Luna is on that list somewhere by the way. The girl may be a bit odd but she can be somewhat adorable at times. I'm not sure whether she's interested in you or sees you as a brother though. You'd have to talk to her. I've seen that she does seem somewhat attached to Tracey as well so it's possible she'd be open to that sort of relationship too."
"Wait, you'd be okay with Luna? The same Luna that you shake your head at every time she brings up something off the wall?" Harry asked incredulous.
"Just because I don't find her particular method of evasion and distraction personally appealing doesn't mean I can't deny the benefits and effectiveness," Hermione shrugged. "I'm also somewhat convinced that she plays it up a bit sometimes just to watch me squirm. Two can play at that game," Hermione chuckled at that.
"Oh," Harry said still trying to catch up. He accepted the third sheet of paper from Hermione.
"This list is a set of people who I feel like you might want to date while still taking into consideration existing relationships and continuing to date me. It's probably the most relevant one at this time."
Harry nearly choked on his tongue as he stared at that list. "Tonks?!" he said in a strangled voice.
"You call?" Tonks asked poking her head around the wall.
"No! No, we're good, Tonks!" Harry hurried to call back, his voice breaking a bit.
"Actually, Tonks, you might want to come in here. I was intended to bring this up after the movie, but since you're here already…" Hermione said shrugging.
"Uh, sure," Tonks said furrowing her brow at the teen. She came in and plopped down onto the chair across from them with popcorn in hand. Harry's head was rapidly shifting between Tonks and Hermione. How in the bloody hell had he lost so much control of the conversation so quickly?
"Tonks, as you are aware, Harry is now the Heir Black in addition to the Heir Potter," Hermione said turning to Tonks.
"Yeah. I was there when it was brought up," Tonks said sounding amused.
"Well, I've been spending quite some time thinking about who might be suitable for Harry's second partner," she paused and her face got a bit red. Tonks just waved her along. "I um, well I've been watching how he interacts with the women around him as well as how they interact with him and…" Hermione took a deep breath and pushed on, "And I've seen how you both look at each other and I think you would make a very good match. It certainly helps that Harry has never shown any preference for a specific form you take and that you have never really seen him as a boy but as a young adult. I think two would balance each other nicely." Hermione finished her speech with bright red cheeks and wringing hands. Harry was trying to burrow into the couch to disappear while Tonks was gaping like a fish.
"I…I…what?" Tonks finally squeaked. Her hair had flashed through a rapid rainbow of colors before settling on a fluorescent orange and her cheeks had also turned bright red despite her best efforts to damp it down.
"Well obviously, nothing has to happen yet. Harry is only 14 after all so of course it's not something super urgent. But by the same token, I wanted to bring it up now to get everyone thinking about everything and...well I just wanted to make sure that there's no dancing around the issue and that we're all open with each other so that no one feels awkward or anything," Hermione rapidly said not stopping to breath. She seemed to have lost much of her earlier confidence.
"I feel awkward," Harry said raising his hand.
The two girls ignored him. Tonks got her breathing under control and her blush lessened. "You realize I'm six years older than him?"
Hermione shrugged. "I'm a year older than him myself and once we all graduate the age difference really won't be much of a factor."
"Yeah maybe then, but like you said, Harry is 14. You're about to be 15 – "
"Technically I am 15. Time Turner," Hermione said her voice settling back into a quiet assuredness.
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