XXXVII.   august of another summer

Devore had been taken back to her fourth year when everybody at Hogwarts had been picking on Harry for the Tri Wizard Tournament. Since returning for their fifth year, all eyes had been on Harry but since coming back from break, it had gotten worse, the whispering voices and judging eyes following him wherever he went. Devore had taken it upon herself to threaten anyone who dared to say anything about him, or she would threaten to pluck their eyes out and feed them to the birds.

She stood outside her house notice board with a nasty glare on her face.

——— BY ORDER OF ———
THE HIGH INQUISITOR OF HOGWARTS

Teachers are hereby banned from giving students information that is not strictly related to the subjects they are paid to teach.

The above is in accordance with Education Decree Number Twenty-Six

Signed:

HIGH INQUISITOR

"Great, now she's taken away the right to freedom of speech?" Said Morgan in shock, standing by her side.

"She'll have to cut out my tongue before she gets me to stop speaking." Devore sneered.

January was passing by rather quickly. The secret D.A. meetings continued until well midnight, which tired Devore out completely but she still managed to spent a good amount of her time studying for her O.W.Ls. She had made Fred promise to study with her for his N.E.W.Ts which as hard considering they mostly studied alone and Fred couldn't stop messing with her.

The two of them were in the Gryffindor common room, Devore and Fred seated in the back at the table while George was showing Olivia all of the new products they had come in by the fireplace. As she writing down her Transfiguration notes, Devore felt the side of her face become hot and she turned her head, seeing Fred staring at her with his chin on the palm of her his hand. She pulled a face. "Stop staring at me."

"Why on Earth would I do that?"

"Because you're supposed to be studying," she emphasizes and tapped her quill on his open textbook, "you're never going to pass your N.E.W.Ts if you keep getting distracting."

Fred scoffed. "Who cares about N.E.W.Ts?"

"I do. It's your last year, Freddie. I want you to pass."

Smiling, he pressed his chin to his hand again and stared at her with warm eyes. "I don't care about my studies. I only care about you."

Devore felt her face become hot again and she titled her head, growing a smile but she still looked serious. "I'm serious, Freddie. If you're not going to study with me, I can just go to bed," she insisted and started gathering her stuff.

"No, no, no, hey," he quickly stopped her, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You're just so gorgeous I can't keep my eyes off of ya."

Blushing red, Devore rolled her eyes and Fred leaned forward, kissing the side of her cheek. She looked down at the table and smiled. "You're ridiculous."

"And you're stunning." He whispered and kissed her cheek again. Fred put his finger under her chin and turned her head to him, then he kissed her on the lips.

Devore felt warm outside, like it was August and she was drinking the sun. She pressed her hand to Fred's cheek and kissed him back, thinking there was no better feeling than being in his presence with his love covering her like a blanket. She seemed to forget all about her studies in that moment.

The weeks leading up to Valentine's Day sent everybody, especially the couples, into a frenzy. Boys were asking girls to Hogsmeade with extravagant proposals or they were exchanging flowers and chocolates. Devore and Ron were hanging pink and red hearts around the Great Hall doors. "How about you, Ronnie? Is there a special girl you're taking to Hogsmeade?" She teased him.

Ron rolled his eyes. "No. Even if I wanted to to, I couldn't. Angelina's got us training that whole day." He explained with a small grumble. "I don't know what the need for it is. We're terrible."

"Oh, you guys aren't terrible. Just. . .not the best."

He threw her a look. "Nice," he said sarcastically, "besides, who would go out with me?"

Devore looked his way and frowned. "Don't say that. You're wonderful."

"You're just saying that cause we're best friends," said Ron sadly and he lowered his wand.

"I'm not. Any girl would be lucky to go out with you," Devore insisted. "Especially a certain girl."

He furrowed his brows. "Who?"

She smirked. "Hermione."

His eyes widened. "What? No-No, no way," he slipped out a stutter.

"Oh, come on, Ron. You've had a thing for her for years now. It's time."

"You don't know what you're talking about, Dev," he mumbled quickly. He bent down and picked up one of the boxes of hearts. "C'mon, we still got to hang these hearts inside the Great Hall."

He moved past her and Devore rolled her eyes. She bent down to pick up a box of hearts and followed him into the half empty Great Hall. "Ron, we're practically family. I've seen you pick your nose, burp, and blush like you have a fever whenever Hermione breaths around you. Don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about." She lectured him.

Again, Ron rolled his eyes. "I'm not talking about this with you."

Devore put her box of hearts on the table. "I'm going o keep bothering you about it until you admit you have feelings for her," she pressured him.

"I know you're not. Still not going to answer," he said and used his wand to lift the stars to the ceiling of the room.

"You can't ignore me forever," she insisted and sat her hands on her hips. When Ron didn't respond, Devore scoffed. "Oh, come on." Still no answer. "Ronald. . . you know by not talking to me, you're basically giving me the answer. Ron!"

On the night of Valentine's Day, Olivia and Devore were getting dressed in her dorm room. Morgan sat on her bed grumbling. "I hate today."

"You only hate today because Angelina's been training all day," Devore laughed and finished curling her hair.

"I thought she gave you, like, a years supply of chocolate?" Olivia brought up and swiped red lipstick on her lips.

"She did. Doesn't mean I'm not sad." Said Morgan frowning.

"You want to come with us?" Devore asked her and stepped out of the bathroom.

"And be the seventh wheel?" She scoffed. "Yeah right."

Devore slipped on her shoes. She adjusted the sleeves of her red sweater, her nerves staring to take over. "How do I look?" She asked them and smoothed out her black skirt.

"You look hot!" Olivia answered with a smile, wearing a tight black top and red skirt, her black boots reaching her knees. Her natural brown curls were blown out into smooth waves. "Fred's going to be drooling all night."

"You both look gorgeous," said Morgan and she stood to her feet. "I hope you guys have fun."

"Why don't you go to the Qudditch pitch and convince Angie to take a break? You two can go to Hogsmeade." Devore suggested.

She only shrugged. "She's serious about Qudditch. I don't want to disturb her."

"You're her girlfriend and you want to spend the day with her. She'll say yes," Olivia promised. She turned to Devore. "We better get going. We have to meet Atlas and Legend."

"Right." As they started to leave, Devore pointed at Morgan, "go talk to Angie!"

"Yeah, yeah. Have fun," Morgan waved them off. "Not too much fun! You're too young to have children!"

Fred and George had booked a table in the back of The Three Broomsticks big enough for all of them. Olivia and Devore each were gifted a large bouquet of red roses from the twins. Atlas ordered them a round of butterbeers, him and Legend wearing matching red button up shirts. "Drinks are on me tonight, guys." He announced and stretched his arm behind Legend's arm.

"Did you guys see Ron get hit in the head with the Quaffle on the way over here?" Fred asked with a laugh. He shrugged off his coat and put it on the back of his chair, revealing his light blue button up shirt that defined his muscles arms, which Devore couldn't seem to look away from.

"No, but I did see Angie screaming at Sloper and trying to yank him off his broom." Said Legend, cringing at the imagery.

Devore laughed. "Yeah, he's terrible."

"It sucks that you guys aren't allowed to play," Olivia said with a frown, looking between the twins.

"Tell me about it. All cause of that dickwad Malfoy," Fred sneered and shook his head. He looked at his girlfriend. "Nice right hook you did on him, by the way."

"Yeah Dev, I'm shocked he didn't need a nose job," said Atlas with a cackle.

"Thanks," she responded while smirking.

The waitress came around back to their table with a tray of butterbeers. They ordered their food quick after. "So Freddie, Georgie, have you two come up with any plans for your joke shop?" Atlas asked the twins.

They grew wide smiles. "Of course we have," George said first.

"Thanks to our lovely Devore for her generous Christmas gift—" said Fred and he gave her a smirk, behind his hand up and twisting the ends of her hair.

"—Freddie and I've drawn out models for how we'll see everything up. It's going to be magnificent."

"The best opening night ever."

"I can't wait to see it all." Said Devore smiling.

"Now all we have to worry about is passing our exams," said Olivia with a sigh and she sipped her butterbeer.

"I'm so lucky to be dating a Ravenclaw. He keeps my head on straight," said Atlas and he smiled at Legend.

"Yeah, when you're not distracting me." His boyfriend rolled his eyes.

"Sounds like somebody I know." Devore agreed and eyes the boy next to her.

Fred smirked.

"All I'm hoping for is to get away of Umbridge as soon as possible," Olivia brought up.

"Yeah, it's taking everything in me not to pull a Harry and blow her up." Said Devore vividly.

"Honestly, Fred and George, you needa invent a product that makes someone blow up. It would sell quickly," said Atlas.

Legend nodded. "I'm usually not a violent person, but, we gotta get rid of her." He emphasized.

All of their eyes landed on Devore. She jerked her head back. "Why you all looking at me?" She questioned.

"You're the genius of the group." Olivia said with a smile.

"You're also the most violent," added George, Atlas nodding along.

"What? Fred's more violent than me!"

"I'm not violent. I'm just a prankster." Fred argued.

She jerked her head in his direction. "Who tests his products on children. You don't call that violent?"

He held up his hands. "It's not my fault they're stupid enough to agree to use em."

Devore rolled her eyes. "Even if I did want to get rid of her, which I desperately do, I couldn't. I'd get kicked out."

"Not if you had help." Atlas smirked.

"Yeah, what are they gonna do? Kick us all out of Hogwarts?" Asked Olivia and she laughed.

"They might."

George shook his head. "Nah. I bet all the teachers would pay us to do it."

It sent them all into laughter.

After the night was over, Fred and Devore went back to the Gryffindor common room while George and Legend went with Olivia and Atlas to the Hufflepuff common room. "Did you have a good time, love?" He asked her after giving the Fat Lady the password.

"One of the greatest Valentine's Days I've ever had," Devore responded. She carried her roses in her arms like a child, and when the portal opened, the two of them walked into the common room, seeing that everybody was already in their dorms asleep.

"What was the best?" Fred asked her. The two of them sat on the couch and he rested his arm on the back.

She remembered a very specific Valentine's Day when she was eight. Her father had taken her to town on a father daughter date, and he brought her a large thing of roses, each a different color. He bought them dinner, then he took her to a book store and let her have as many books as she wanted, and at the end of the day, the pair of them went home and Isaac set up a painting station in the kitchen.

It almost brought a tear to her eye. "My father gave me the greatest Valentine's Day. Probably the best date I've ever been on," she giggled. Devore rubbed his arm. "Apart from ours, of course."

Fred smiled softly. "I get it. Don't worry, love. I'll make sure to give you the best dates for the rest of our lives."

She smiled. "I don't doubt it."

She leaned forward and Fred met her in the middle, pressing a soft kiss to her red lips.

They heard footsteps and Devore pulled away from Fred. She looked over her shoulder and saw Harry, him coming back from his date with Cho. "Hey, Harry. How was your date?" She asked with a smirk.

"Not better than mine, I bet." Said Fred and he winked at her.

Harry stood there stiffly, almost spacious. "Yeah. It was, uh. . .fine, I guess?" He said awkwardly, almost like a question.

Devore frowned. She looked at Fred and raised her eyebrows, tilting her head. His mouth formed an O shape and he nodded, patting her arm. "I'm going to go change." He announced and stood from the couch.

When he went up the stairs, Devore looked at Harry and patted the spot on the couch. "Come talk to mother."

Harry cringed. "Please don't say that." He came over anyway and sat on the couch with her. "Why are women so complicated?" He asked, his eyes concentrated on the fireplace.

Devore furrowed her brows. "Uhh, what?"

"Sorry," he muttered. Harry pushed up his glasses. "Cho kind of freaked out on me on our date." He explained.

"Ohhh," she said quietly, "what did you do?"

He looked offended. "What makes you think I did something?"

"Cause somehow, it always leads back to you," she said sympathetically.

Harry opened his mouth to argue but he knew he couldn't. He sighed. "She started talking about Cedric and I think she was expecting me to talk about him, too. But. . ."

Devore formed a frown. "Oh."

"And I don't think she gets that I can't talk about him. I don't want to."

"And you don't have to." She said firmly. "Nobody should have to make you talk about him."

"It doesn't matter," Harry muttered and looked down at his lap, "it stupid of me to think it would work out between me and her anyway."

"Oh, don't say that." Said Devore and she rubbed his shoulder. "You liked her and you have it a shot. That doesn't make you stupid. But now you know that she's not the one for you."

Silent for a moment, Harry turned to her again, his face downturned. "Maybe I should just stop trying." He declared somberly.

Immediately, Devore thought of Ginny. A part of her wanted to believe Harry was aware of her feeling toward him but then again, it was Harry, one of the most clueless people she knew. "Don't copy yourself out just yet, Potter. There's plenty of pretty girls around." She told him with a half smile. "I should be getting back to my common room."

Harry watched her stand up from the couch and grab her flowers. "Hey," he said as she was about to leave. Devore paused and turned to him again. "Any particular pretty girl?"

Devore slowly grinned. "You'll find out soon enough," was all she said and left the common room, leaving Harry confused.

When she arrived back at her common room, before going up to her dorm, she sat at the table with a piece of parchment and a quill to write a letter to her mother:

Dear mother,

      I'm sorry for writing so late but I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day. I know I did. The twins took Olivia and I on a date, and Atlas and Legend came along with her. It was so great. I can't remember the last time I got flowers but the ones Fred gifted me are so beautiful. It was honestly the greatest time of my life.

      Let me know how it was for you. I'd love to hear if Sirius is a true romantic or not.

With love, Devore xoxoxo

The next evening on the way to the Great Hall for dinner, Devore and Olivia were stopped by Luna. "Hello, Devore. Hello, Olivia." She greeted them kindly with a dreamy smile.

"Hi, Luna," said Olivia and she smiled back.

"Did Harry tell you about his interview yet? It should be in the print of The Quibbler tomorrow."

"What interview?" Devore asked with a small laugh.

"The interview with Rita Skeeter," she answered with a starry smile. "You know, about He-Who-Must-Be-Named returning."

Her face fell. Olivia's eyes went wide. "Harry went public?" She said in disbelief.

Feeling a rush of anger, Devore moved past Luna and stormed into the Great Hall. Olivia quickly followed behind her. She saw Harry sitting with Hermione, Dean, Seamus, Neville, and Atlas with them eating dinner. "What's this I'm hearing about you doing an interview with Rita Skeeter?" She questioned Harry, clearly angry.

Dean put down his spoon. "Well, looks like it's time to head out."

"Good idea." Seamus instantly agreed and the two of them, plus Neville, quickly stood from the table to go back to their common room.

"Pansies!" Atlas called after them.

Olivia went and sat beside him. Devore sat beside Harry and raised her eyebrows. "Well?" She said impatiently.

"Okay, one," Harry started and he pointed to Hermione, "it was her idea."

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"When the hell did you do an interview with Rita Skeeter?" Devore emphasized, speaking her name with disgust.

"Yeah, I thought she was unemployed?" Said Atlas.

"She is," responded Harry, "and it was yesterday."

"Yesterday?" Devore repeated. "You didn't think to mention that last night when you were telling me about your date?"

"Oh yeah! How did your date with Cho go?" Hermione asked him brightly.

Cho entered the Great Hall with her friend, Marietta Edgecombe. She didn't glance at the Gryffindor table once, seemingly trying not to make eye contact with Harry at all.

"Judging by that attitude, I'm guessing it went bad?" Olivia questioned, looking sympathetic.

"It was a complete fiasco," Harry said and went into detail about what happened, everything he told Devore last night in the common room, "one second she's telling me Roger Davies asked her out and then the next, she's talking about Cedric,"

Atlas sucked air through his teeth. "Talking about other guys on a date? That's not a good sign."

"And then she jumps up, right, and says "I'll see you around, Harry," and runs out of the place!" Harry continued dramatically. "I mean, what the heck?"

"Well, you see," said Hermione, "you shouldn't have told her that you wanted to meet me halfway through your date."

The other three gasped. "You did that?" Asked Devore with wide eyes.

"Harry, you can't do that!" Olivia said quietly.

Atlas shook his head. "Jesus, that date was doomed from the start."

Harry gave all of them a stern look. "None of you are helping!"

"Yeah, well you're not helping yourself doing an interview with Rita Skeeter!" Devore exclaimed and waved her hands. "You realize you just painted an even bigger target on your back, right? I might as well get a bow and arrow and shoot you now."

"Oh, stop being dramatic, Devore! Harry has a right to tell his story about what happened!" Hermione lectured her.

"Of course he does. But not when there's a psychotic pink bitch of a teacher wondering around making changes all over the school! What the hell do you think she's going to do when she reads The Quibbler?"

There was a pause and Devore could see that they knew she was right. If Umbridge were to find out or read the Quibbler herself, who knows what was in for Harry?

"Are you guys coming back the common room with us?" Harry asked the other housemates.

Atlas clicked his tongue. "I wish, but I can't. Professor Sprout says if I don't turn in my Herbology essay then I can't play in the Quidditch game and there's no way I'm missing that."

"I'll come." Olivia added.

"I might as well," Devore nodded, "gotta make sure nobody tries to hex you on the way."

Harry threw her a narrow eyed look.