Present-RP & OWLS: Unpacking and a bushel of letters (Harry Potter, former Gryffs of his age-group)

[profpotter]

DATE/TIME: 21 June 2007 (late evening)
CHARACTERS: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Fred & George & Charlie Weasley, Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, Oliver Wood, Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell
PLACE: Harry's new Professor's Quarters at Hogwarts, wherever it is everyone else may be
RATING: G
STATUS: Complete

Harry Potter, almost 27-years-

Comments

[profpotter]

This time Harry was waiting for the Hedwig's return, his sleep having officially been ruined. "Bloody bat of a woman." He said to the bird as she clicked disapprovingly at his scowl. "I know, I know, on her side. Always." He rolled his eyes and read the letter she'd sent back and the article along with it. This is what had her all up in the air? Seemed like a good time to him. He wrote back:

'Mione,
Are you kidding? This seems brilliant! I think you've been working too hard. The last Tournament was fun! Of course, except for the whole me-almost-being-killed part... and you know, Cedric's death of course, and Voldemort's return and --- Well, you know what I mean! Dragons and Sphinxes! And it'll liven this place up for the summer as the prepare! No more boredom! Don't you see how great this'll be? Really, Hermione, I think you might need a vacation.

Feel free to visit any time you know, it's nice and calm here and the house elves wait on you hand and foot.

Do you think they'll have dragons again? Or what about the poncy ball? We could do fine without that part I think - put in a word with the Ministry, will you?
Miss you,
Harry

[post_scriptums]

Hermione stared at the owl, wide-eyed. WHAT?? She had thirty-nine indignant owls waiting for her reply just to tell that that no, she really did not know what was going on, people barging in on her office almost every five minutes to tell her that they needed her to contact the Department of Magical Games and Sports and the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures to verify with the head researchers there that having a Cyclops or an Antipodean Opaleye was a good idea, which, of course, it wasn't with that danger rating - they might as well throw an Acromantula into the ring with contestants, really; this wasn't The Odyssey by Homer, after all! Not to mention that her room slowly began to feel more like an owlery than an office, given the amount of rather personal mail she seemed to be getting - if she was a celebrity one might be able to consider this hatemail, really.

Taking a deep breath, she scribbled back,

Harry,

ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND??? Do you have any idea of what repercussions this foolish little scheme they've cooked up could have now?? Not to mention that ten years is by far not enough time for people to heal events as tragic as these! Honestly, as soon as I get my hands on--did you know they're considering bringing in a Cyclops?? They might as well throw the contestants into a giant vat of red dye - to mask all the blood - alongside a Manticore! Wouldn't be the first time they tried these contestants with creatures in the XXXXX rated category!

Yes, yes, that's right, you almost dying, Voldemort, Cedric - Harry, have you lost a snitch or two? I don't care if it was FUN - although, clearly, your memory is ailing you there - or even exciting! People die in this tournament and it is no laughing matter! Just because you're BORED doesn't mean the whole Wizarding World should suffer because of it! Have they learned nothing from past mistakes?? Don't you remember why the tournament was discontinued in the first place?? They had to! The death toll became too high!

The day that I'll need a vacation will be the day when you will feel like you have too much on your plate and be too overworked. There is NO SUCH THING as working to hard. Although, I will admit to you, the state of the Ministry is truly ridiculous - I can't wait to leave this place and feel like a human being again. My office has turned into a bloody owlery! Everyone demands explanations!

DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON HOUSE ELVES.

Dragons--Harry, dear lord, get your head on straight and please realize that this is more dire than a few children's games! You may think that this is all fun and games but I can assure you by the state of my office alone that IT IS NOT.

If this even continues to proceed as it is - dear god, I hope not - then the last thing I would do is put a word in about canceling the Yule Ball. Who knows, this time you might actually think to take me for once.

Surrounded by owls,
Hermione

[profpotter]

Harry laughed, this time, at Hermione's reply this time. The little things she said - or didn't say - making him giggle a bit to himself. Flix paid no mind and Hedwig turned her back on him, wanting to get back to her hunting no doubt. Writing a quick reply he smirked as he pocked Hedwig gently and sent her on her way with the missive.

'Mione,
Are you trying to tell me you'd like me to take you dancing? Anytime, of course! Will it get you out of the office and me out of the castle? It'd be my honour to save both of our sanities.
Adding another owl to your midst,
Harry

[post_scriptums]

Hermione pursed her lips as she saw Harry's reply. She went and wrote several pages of an owl as a response, and, as always, typical Harry went and replied with two lines.

And he didn't even address the main issue here. Trying to ignore the smile playing on her lips at what he'd had to say, she shook her head and dipped her quill in the ink bottle next to her desk.

Harry,

Once again, you have become the master of ignoring all the details that I meant for you to pay attention to in my several-page letter and focusing, instead, on one tiny mention of you taking me to go dancing and it's so irritating that it's almost cute, well, irritating. Owls everywhere, people screaming at me from all sides about this and that and that bloody tournament, and, really, I don't have time for this. I really don't. Dinner, sure, but don't expect me to be in a good mood in the least. At least then you won't be able to avoid the real topic of interest here.

And, well, sure, we can go dancing. It's been a while since we've gone - you know how much I enjoy swing dancing. We should see if anyone else would like to come out and join us - it's been a while since either of us has done any socializing.

Don't mind your owls, just the others - particularly the one that just relieved itself on my desk,
Hermione

[profpotter]

'Mione, how about next week some time? There's a great spot in London - not too far from the flat, though you know I won't dance unless you get me good and drunk - and then you had better plan to take advantage. I don't want to be a cheap date, after all.

And of course I'm the Master of all that and what not - keeps you smiling in the middle of all that owl poo hitting the fan (or, rather, your desk)... Doesn't it?

Flix sends you a stuck out tongue and asks if you'll be bringing that entertaining furball to dinner on Saturday (I can only assume he means Crookshanks),
Harry

[post_scriptums]

Cheap date... Hermione had to laugh at the thought. As if.

Harry,

Next week would work - maybe by then I'll be less overflowing with madness and owls and owl discharge here and feeling more like a human being and, oh god, I miss swing dancing with you. You better cooperate, you hear? I don't care if you feel like you're being publicly humiliated, I want you dancing and, preferably if you're not drunk because then you'll get all the steps wrong!

You would never be a cheap date for anyone - and especially not for me. You made that perfectly clear that we're not in any way, shape, or form dating in front of that reporter for the Prophet last week.

Yes, I would never contest your place as master of that, ever. Miraculously keep me smiling, yes. Thank you for that - I feel like I'm going mental here.

I can bring Crookshanks if you won't mind him there too much - Flix doesn't have to attend dinner, and you can tell him that, too!
Hermione

[profpotter]

Hermione-
Do I detect a bit of sarcasm in your letter? Or maybe you just really do miss me? I'll dance, but I can't promise it'll be pretty! Or maybe it's a little bit of... embarassment? I'm sorry the Prophet is such a pain about us - you know I've tried to talk to them about it before, but really they've been on the story of who I'm on with for fifteen years now, it's not as if we can expect them to change their minds anytime soon. If that means you want to be out less, that's fine, but don't be upset with me for it, all right?

I do hope the owls have calmed down, and I'll be sure Flix is safely locked away - I don't like the way he eyes you sometimes.
Protectively,
Harry

[post_scriptums]

Harry,

No sarcasm at all intended. You know me. You dance wonderfully; don't deny it.

Out even less than this? Ha, Harry, I think that's right impossible. It's fine, I don't mind. Just makes me wonder sometimes whether I am so embarrassing to be seen out in public with, given how vehemently you always deny the claims.

They've calmed down a bit. Doesn't mean that that makes my life any easier just now.

Well, he's a snake - you might as well crown him King of the Slytherins. I wouldn't be surprised if he had some motives he wouldn't want you to know about...
Suspicious of motives,
Hermione

[profpotter]

Hermione,
Lets meet up before the big crowd. Free for drinks Friday night? We can do the Three Broomsticks if you like, or I can come out to London. And if you're suspecting Flix's motives, I'm definitely going to have to have a talk with him - no more sliding up your arm and trying to cozy up to you on my watch. Snake or not, it's not allowed.

See you at the Broomsticks, eh? We'll get you all calmed down and you can tell me all about the uproar you're on now, and we can figure out what to do about those dolts at the Ministry, I promise I'll try and help.
Harry

[post_scriptums]

Harry,

Sounds like a plan! I could use a break from work most certainly! Three Broomsticks is fine... unless you're doubting my apparating abilities now!

I think Flix is fine as long as he doesn't slither anywhere else, haha.

Looking forward to it,
Hermione