Voldemort's Ambition

"Oh—yeah. Right." Harry scratched his head. "You're really observant."

After saying that, Harry froze for a moment. Then he and Hermione looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, Harry." Hermione laughed until tears came to her eyes, bending over as she wiped them away. "We know each other too well. Sometimes I even forget you're a boy."

"Sometimes I forget you're a girl too," Harry said, laughing just as hard.

"You wanted to invite me to Horace's Christmas dinner to put an end to those girls' ideas of drugging you, didn't you?" Hermione asked.

"Yes." Harry scratched his head. "Those girls... really are a little annoying."

"So, go invite a girl to Horace Slughorn's Christmas dinner already." Hermione urged. "And you can't just invite anyone. They're all watching you. Everyone thinks you're the Savior Star!"

Harry and Hermione enjoyed the relief of being able to talk normally again as they walked along the empty, lamp-lit corridor toward the Common Room.

"But I am the Savior Star," Harry said cheerfully.

Smack— Hermione's draft paper mercilessly slapped Harry on the head.

"Okay, okay, I'll... I'll look properly," Harry said with an embarrassed grin. "I'll find a cool girl."

"Jester's Wand." At last, they reached the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry gave the Fat Lady the newest holiday password.

"You too." The Fat Lady gave a mischievous toothy smile, and the portrait slid forward to let them through.

"Hi, Harry." The moment Harry came through the portrait hole, Romilda spoke up. "Want to try some Molly Bubble Water? It's really good."

As she spoke, Romilda handed Harry a cup of frothy pink drink.

Hermione shot him a look over his shoulder that plainly said, What did I tell you?

"No, thanks," Harry replied quickly. "I don't really