Venesian Love

Venesian Love

Disclaimer: Everything you recognize, I don't own. This story isn't for money, just for fun!

Summary: It’s the gang’s 7th year. The war against Voldemort has become personal. Not just for Harry, but for Hogwarts favorite Potions Master, Severus Snape. With the start of a new years comes new trials and tribulations for everyone at Hogwarts. Will the gang be able to finally defeat Voldemort and live normal lives? Read and find out.

Chapter 14

“That’s it Harry. Keep moving. Strike!” Severus ordered.

“Arvada Kedavra!” Harry yelled.

The spell shot from his wand and hit the practice dummy square in the chest. Harry took a few deep breaths then faced Severus, Sirius and Hermione.

“You’ve improved Harry.” Sirius said as he walked over to his godson.

“Okay Hermione. Your turn.” Severus said.

Hermione drew her wand and took her fighting stance. Severus blew his whistle. Hermione began to fire off hexes, spells and curses as she ducked, rolled, flipped and dove around the room. A few seconds later she yelled the killing curse at the dummy. Once done, she face the others.

“Perfect. That was excellent.” Severus said.

“He’s right. Where did you learn all those rolls, kicks and punches?” Sirius asked.

“My next door neighbor Tony. He studied martial arts. He used to teach me, just in case I ever needed it. I guess it came in handy after all.” Hermione answered.

The four of them headed upstairs from the training room in the basement and into the main hallway. They walked into the kitchen and sat down to the delicious smelling breakfast Oron had cooked.

Breakfast was filled with laughter and chatter. Harry had been at 12 Grimmwauld place for two weeks. It was now the day before Valentine’s Day. And the dance that Harry should be going to with Millicent.

“Harry, you all right? You seem kind of down.” Hermione asked as she refilled her coffee cup.

“Yeah. It’s just that, tomorrow I was suppose to be going to the Valentine’s Day dance. I was really looking foreword to going.” Harry answered.

Before anyone could ask why, Oron reappeared with a copy of the Daily Prophet and two letters. One was for Severus and Hermione and the other was for Harry.

“Yous have a letter Master Harry.” Oron said as he handed the letter to Harry.

Harry took one look at the letter and smiled as he saw the handwriting. He pushed his chair back and got to his feet.

“Excuse me guys.” Harry said as he left the kitchen.

“What was that all about?” Sirius asked.

“Don’t know.” Severus answered as he read the letter.

“I guess Harry will tell us when he is ready. Don’t bother him about it. All right Sirius.” Hermione replied with a smile.

“Good news. Fudge has sentenced Pansy Parkinson. She should be receiving the Dementor’s Kiss as we speak.” Severus said.

“Good. At least that’s one of his servants out of the way.” Hermione sighed with relief.

“What about the potion? Can you two remake it?” Sirius asked.

“Unfortunately no. Some of the ingredients we can’t get now. We used them from Severus’s stores. They only grow during certain times of the year. It would take too long to find them anywhere else if we looked. Time isn’t something we have.” Hermione answered sadly.

Harry walked out into the backyard. He sat on the bench and opened the letter. His smiled grew as he read it.

Dearest Harry,

I am glad to hear you are fully healed. So are our friends. Ginny is going to the dance with Jonathon. Balise is taking Maria McCormick from Ravenclaw. You’ll never believe who Ron is taking! He’s taking Hannah Abbot!
The school has changed. Well, except of course for a few of the older Slytherins of course. The professors are more alert than normal. The Headmaster is teaching Professor Snape’s classes.
I miss you Harry. I wish you were here. I was looking foreword to going to the dance tomorrow. Just remember, if you need me, I’ll always be there. I have to go. Take care. Tell Hermione and Professor Snape hello for me.

Love,
Milli

Harry smiled as he folded the letter and held it against his chest. Every morning he waited for a letter from Millicent. He found his heart skipping a beat when he got a letter from her. Suddenly, everything hit him like a wild hippogriff. Harry James Potter was in love with Millicent Boulstrod! He jumped to his feet and hurried back inside. He skidded to a stop in front of the library. Severus and Hermione looked up from the books they were reading.

“Harry, what’s wrong?” Hermione asked.

“Wrong? Nothing. I just had a question. For you both.” Harry answered.

“What’s that?” Severus asked.

“How do you know you’re in love? I mean head over heels in love?” Harry asked as sat on the sofa.

“Well. I wasn’t expecting that. Well, first, you’re heart sometimes skips a beat whenever you see, think or are around that person. At least for me it was like that.” Hermione said.

“Also, all you can do is think of them. And you can’t wait to see their face. You can’t stand to be parted from them for too long.” Severus added.

“Why do you ask?” Hermione questioned.

“Because, I’m in love.” Harry answered.

“With who?” Severus asked.

“Millicent.” Harry replied with a smile.

“That’s wonderful! Have you told her?” Hermione exclaimed.

“Not yet. I just realized it after I read the letter she sent me. But this is something I would like to tell her in person.” Harry replied.

Hermione got up and sat beside her best friend. Harry sighed as she put her arm around his shoulders. Severus looked on at the pair and smiled.

“Harry, you should find out how Millicent feels about you. I would hate to see you or Millicent hurt because you don’t have the same feelings.” Severus said.

“You guys are right. I’ll go write to her right now. Thanks for listening to me. I appreciate it.” Harry said.

He got up and headed for his room. Hermione and Severus smiled as they watched him leave. Both glad he finally had someone. The rest of the day past with Severus and Sirius tutoring Hermione and Harry in their studies and more training. At dinner everyone kept talking about the final battle. Hoping that it would be over soon and quickly.

“Harry, if you keep training as hard as you have been, you will beat Voldemort.” Sirius said.

“I know I’ll win. I won’t let him continue his reign of terror anymore.” Harry stated.

“Don’t get too cocky Harry. That’s how you make mistakes. Especially in combat.” Severus said.

“You’re right. All I know is I have to do my best to defeat his ass once and for all.” Harry sighed.

“That’s the spirit Harry.” Hermione said with a small smile.

That night everyone passed out as soon as their heads hit the pillows. As Harry slept, he dreamt of him and Millicent together without the threat of Voldemort hanging over their heads. Living in a peaceful and Voldemort free future.

Valentine’s Day dawned cold and cloudy. It matched Harry’s mood perfectly. He wanted nothing more than to be at Hogwarts with his friends and especially Millicent. He climbed out of bed, got dressed and headed down for breakfast.

“Good morning Mister Harry. Can Is get yous something?” Oron asked.

“Just some orange juice and some toast. I‘m not that hungry this morning.” Harry answered as he sat at the table.

Upstairs, Hermione was beginning to wake up herself. She began to stretch as she sat up in bed. As she opened her eyes, she gasped and covered her mouth in shock and surprise. The bedroom was covered in red roses. Just then Severus walked in carrying a tray with their breakfast.

“Good morning my love. Happy Valentine’s Day.” Severus said as he sat beside his lovely wife.

“You did all this for me?” she asked.

“Yes. To say thank you and to show how much I love you.” he answered.

Hermione leaned over and kissed Severus. The kiss lasted only a few seconds, but still showed the feelings the couple shared. Severus then set about feeding his wife her breakfast. Hermione in turn fed Severus his breakfast as well. The Snapes spent most of the morning in their room, then decided to put up an appearance downstairs.

“There you two are. Albus just flooed. He said he would stop by this afternoon. How are you two this morning?” Sirius greeted.

“We’re fine. I wonder what’s new at Hogwarts since we’ve been here.” Hermione replied.

“I doubt much has changed. I guess we’ll find out when Albus gets here.” Severus added.

“So, what’s on the agenda for today?” Harry asked.

“I think we should take the day off and just relax. We’ve all worked hard over the last two weeks. I think we can afford one day off.” Sirius answered.

The others agreed. Harry retreated outside to the backyard and sat on the bench. As he sat there, his thought returned to the witch who had stolen his heart.

‘I wonder what Milli is doing right now? Is she thinking of me? Does she even feel the same way for me as I feel for her?’ he thought as he watched a bird land on a branch of the tree in front of him.

The hours flew. Everyone, even Oron was sitting in the library when Albus arrived.

“Hello everyone.” Albus greeted.

“Hello.” everyone replied.

“Oh Harry, can you go into the kitchen? I think you’ll find something there you will like.” Albus instructed.

Confused, Harry did so. He got to his feet and headed into the kitchen. He entered. There, sitting at the table was none other than Millicent Boulstrod. When the door closed Millicent looked up. When she saw Harry, she moved toward him. Harry wasted no time. He quickly closed the gap between them, gathered her into his arms and kissed her.

Millicent tangled her fingers in his hair and held him closer. The pair came apart only when their lungs craved oxygen. They stared into each others eyes, gasping slightly. Both smiling as well.

“Hello to you too Harry.” Millicent said.

“Come with me. We need to talk.” Harry said.

He took her hand and led her from the kitchen and upstairs to his bedroom. Back in the library, Albus told the others that he had brought Millicent with him.

“I figured Harry could use some cheering up. If it’s all right, I was hoping Miss Boulstrod could stay the night and I could come pick her up tomorrow before breakfast at Hogwarts.” Albus asked.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea. Especially since Hermione and Severus told me that Harry said he was in love with her.” Sirius answered.

Severus and Hermione nodded in agreement. Upstairs, Millicent sat on Harry’s bed while Harry paced the room.

“Harry what’s wrong? You seem nervous.” she asked.

“There’s something I want to know. How…how do you feel about me? Truthfully.” Harry asked.

“Honestly. I think I’ve fallen in love with you.” she answered.

Harry stopped pacing, faced her, smiled and sat beside her. He took both her hands in his.

“I’m so glad you said that. I love you too. Every morning I find my heart skipping a beat when I get a letter from you. I’ve thought about you everyday since I left Hogwarts and came here. I want us to be together Milli. Will you be mine?” he asked.

“Oh yes! I’ll be yours Harry!” Millicent cried.

Harry gathered her tightly in his arms and held her tight. Half an hour later they returned to the library and found Albus gone. Sirius explained that Millicent was staying the night and would return to Hogwarts an hour before breakfast. This made Harry and Millicent very happy.

After lunch Harry and Millicent went outside while Severus and Hermione headed to their room. Sirius just smiled as he entered the library. He was happy for his godson. Finally Harry had found happiness.

“Is me intruding on Mister Sirius?” Oron asked as he popped into the room.

“No Oron.” Sirius answered.

“Are yous okay?” Oron asked.

“I’m fine. I’m just glad Harry is happy. Did you need something my little friend?” Sirius answered.

“No sir. I just cames to brings this letter to yous.” Oron said as he handed the letter to Sirius.

Sirius took the letter and Oron disappeared. Sirius opened the letter and smiled once he saw who it was from.

My Darling Sirius,

How are you? I miss you. Soon this war will be over and we can be together. I wish we could be together today, but alas fate has seen fit to keep us apart yet again.
Soon my dear, we can be together. I love you and miss you. I hope to see you soon.

All My Love,
Katrina

For the past two years, Sirius and Katrina Sinstra had been having a relationship. With the war heating up, they had been unable to spend a lot of time together. Sirius smiled as he folded the letter, put it in his robe pocket and began to read his book.

“Harry, where am I going to sleep?” Millicent asked.

“Right here with me.” Harry answered.

“Um, are you sure that’s a good idea?” she asked.

“Milli, I give you my word. Nothing will happen. Unless you say otherwise. I just want to hold you in my arms as we sleep.” he answered.

“All right. Are you sure the others won’t mind?” she replied.

“Trust me. Come on. I think dinner’s almost ready. Wait till you taste Oron’s cooking. You’re going to love it.” Harry said.

Together they entered the house and headed for the kitchen. When they entered the others were already there sitting at the table.

“We were just about to come find you two.” Severus said.

“We were outside talking. I told Milli she was sleeping in my room. But nothing’s going to happen. You have our word.” Harry said.

“He’s right. We…we just want to hold each other.” Millicent said nervously.

“We trust you two Miss Boulstrod. I think we all know how you and Mr. Potter feel. Now, sit and let’s eat.” Severus replied with a smile.

Millicent and Harry both smiled and sat down. Dinner was full of chatter and laughter. Millicent felt as if she belonged there. For the first time since she and Balise had become friends with Harry, Ron and Hermione, she felt that houses didn’t even matter.

“Oh my! It’s midnight. I think we should turn in. Professor Dumbledore will be here in the morning.” Hermione said.

Everyone said good night and headed for bed. Harry and Millicent entered his bedroom. Harry handed her an extra pair of his pajamas and went into the bathroom to change. Ten minutes later the couple climbed into bed.

“I love you Milli. Sleep well.” Harry whispered as he held Millicent tightly.

“And I love you too Harry. Good night.” Millicent whispered back as she snuggled into his arms.

Harry and Millicent fell asleep within minutes. Down the hall, Severus and Hermione laid in each others arms.

“I can’t remember seeing Harry as happy as I have today.” Hermione said.

“I agree. I feel bad for Sirius though.” Severus added.

“Why?” she asked.

“Because he can’t be with his significant other.” he answered.

“Oh? Who?” she asked.

“Not a word. It’s Sinstra. They’ve been together for almost two years.” he answered.

“Wow. They make a good couple. I can’t wait till this war is over. That way we can all be in peace for once.” she said.

“I know. Harry is growing stronger by the day. If this continues, he can defeat Voldemort. I just hope fate is on our side when that day comes.” he said.

That night, the occupants of 12 Grimmwauld Place slept peacefully. Each one dreaming of the day when they would be free of the threat of Voldemort and his followers.

T.B.C