Harry Potter And Common Sense

Harry's return to Hogwarts for winter term was uneventful. When the first Hogsmeade weekend of term came around Harry cornered Daphne.

"Hey, Daphne, Hogsmeade this weekend."

"I know."

"Would you go with me? As my date?"

Daphne bit her lip. "Harry, umm… You're a good friend and all, but you're not my type. Besides I'm technically committed elsewhere already."

"You are? But you're only thirteen, and I haven't seen you with anyone."

"I've been betrothed since I was nine."

"To whom?"

"To Giles de Vereignes, he goes to Beauxbatons."

"Why?"

"Part of it is business between our families the rest is our magic showed us to be compatible when I was four and Giles was seven. It's why I know French, Giles is his father's heir and it's a good match. He'll be a Vicomte one day."

"I see."

"I'm sorry, Harry."

"It's okay. After the last couple times I sorta guessed."

"Still friends?"

"Yeah. We're still friends." Harry reflected that while it stung a little, it was fine. There were other girls at Hogwarts after all. He nearly grimaced when a face surrounded by blonde hair with silver gray eyes flashed through his mind. He would not go there; besides she was only a second year. "Guess I'll go."

He went to the library. He might as well study. He wanted to impress Oncle Nic by being able to discuss intelligently the book on intermediate alchemy the next time he wrote the Flamels. The beginner book had discussed what alchemy was and covered alchemical processes focusing on combining chemistry and magic. This one focused on arrays; the means by which magicals could alter and control chemical reactions. Harry was finding both his arithmancy and Runes classes very helpful in understanding what he was reading in the book.

That weekend Neville asked him to escort Susan Bones to Hogsmeade, as it was the only way for Neville to persuade Hannah Abbott to go with him. Not wanting to let his best friend down Harry went, and he and Susan had a good time gently teasing Neville and Hannah.

The months went by and Harry was pleased by the fact that the cadre were doing well. He was surprised that his roommate Draco had disciplined himself to the point of actually competing grade wise with the midlevel cadre members. Then the spring quidditch season arrived.

Harry invited Sirius and Remus to the Ravenclaw versus Slytherin game. He still didn't trust either man fully, but Cassandra was starting to work her way through the Black library which proved to him his godfather was at least trying.

The day of the game came and Harry went down to the pitch. He was confident that Slytherin would carry the day. The Claws as a rule didn't do very well with the highly physical game the Slytherins liked to play. Harry had watched the Ravenclaw seeker play against Hufflepuff's last autumn and she had been marking Diggory rather search for the snitch on her own. Which meant unless she were very lucky he would have no problem beating Chang to the snitch. He calmly listened as Marcus got the rest of the team excited for the game. They went out on the pitch and Harry felt the familiar leap of his spirit as he took to the air.

Up in the stands Albus Dumbledore sat with many of the school governors, a few parents and to his surprise Remus Lupin and Sirius Black as well as the teachers.

Half an hour into the game Severus Snape couldn't resist poking at Black and Lupin. "So why are you here, Black?"

"We're here to watch my godson."

"Yes, young Mr. Potter is an outstanding player. It must rub you raw that he's in my House."

Sirius opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it again.

From a few seats over Perseus Davies spoke up. "It's hard for me to watch as well, Potion Master. Young Lord Potter would be an asset in any house. Instead of being in the house that reflects the level of his intelligence, and helping them win, I'll have to watch as my nominal ward's team beats my son's."

Albus spoke up, "I'm curious, why do you imply Harry could fit in any house?"

Perseus snorted. "Haven't you observed him? I would have thought with your level of interest in the boy, Headmaster, you would know that Harry has measurable traits that could place him in any of the houses. He works as hard or harder than a Hufflepuff and is loyal to those he trusts. He passed his Government test on the first try which implies a very high intelligence. He isn't afraid to confront others and is brave enough to stand up to injustice." As he said this he looked Sirius in the eyes. "But through it all he uses instinctive cunning, and always keeps his eye on the prize. Which if I'm not mistaken, he's going for now."

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