Dobby had finally talked her into talking to Harry. Dobby had severe issues with her sadness. She'd made him PROMISE not to tell Harry though. Hannah wouldn't ruin his good mood, and she had decided she was seeing Blaise today. She'd given him enough space. But right now, she wanted to congratulate Harry.

"Hello, Harry," Hannah said quietly. "Did you have fun last night?"

"Besides the awkward congratulations and sex talk? It was fine." He sat back in his desk, dropping the quill he'd been holding. He crossed his arms over his stomach and gave her a look. "I hung out with Dean Thomas last night. He gave me that," he nodded in the direction of the painting of Ginny, which was leaning against the couch, "and showed me some more of his work."

Hannah turned pink. "Did he then? Well... that's... nice."

Goodness, what had ever possessed her to do that? Hannah still could not quite believe she'd taken most of her clothes off and posed for a portrait.

"There was this real hot number in a black get up. Lacy. Blond hair. I'm not sure, but I think I know her." He grinned at her blush. "I didn't pull out his eyes for painting it, if you're wondering, but I was tempted. Sorely tempted." He leaned forward. "Any specific reason we felt the need to bare ourselves to the world?"

"Would you be angry if I said I paid for it with what was left of Wayne's money and did it because he would have never approved?" Hannah smiled. "I've got it hidden in my room if you'd like a closer look. It won't be here much longer. I plan on giving it to Blaise for his birthday. Though it'd be like him to hang the darned thing in his entryway. I must remember to tell him it's for his private study."

Harry grimaced. "Alright. I was just kidding. I don't need to know why you had it done and where it's final resting place will be." He sat back in his chair. "Why would I be angry that you used Wayne's money to get it done? It was the least the bastard could do for you." He hated that she still thought about the slime. If he could find someone to obliviate the memory out of her head, he'd do it. Probably.

"I still think you should have taken everything from that apartment. It was yours too, even if he was the one who paid for it."

Hannah smiled sadly. "Hannah wouldn't do that... if I'm even Hannah anymore."

"Would you like cake," she asked, changing the subject. "Or pie. I think you need cake or pie. When one accomplishes something grand like becoming an Auror after years of study, I do believe cake is required. Maybe a pudding."

Harry jumped up when she started to make her way out of the room and towards the kitchen. "What do you mean, if you're even Hannah anymore?" He trailed after her.

"It's silly. I shouldn't have said that. Don't think on it. What sort of cake would you like? Or pudding?"

"Usually when people say they shouldn't have said something, it's because they don't want someone to push the issue, and I'm really not one to let things go. You need to tell me what's going on, and no, I don't want any sodding cake."

Hannah sighed. "I had a fight with Ernie. He was absolutely dreadful, and no, I don't want to tell you about what because you'll probably agree with most of what he said. Biscuits then? Or pudding?"

"Stop baking. Seriously." They'd finally made their way to the kitchen and Harry stood in the doorway as she moved around. "What did he say, and why do you think I'll agree?"

"Well, the things I were angriest about were Draco being evil and not redeemable at all... which you likely agree with wholeheartedly. Blaise is using me to put another notch in his bedpost... despite the fact that he could have done plenty to me that first night with my being drunk as all get out and didn't even lay a hand on me. Oh and apparently I am no judge of who I can and can not make friends with."

Hannah started slamming things around and pulling out ingredients.

"I know Draco Malfoy is a right horse's hind end, but he isn't evil, and all Blaise has done is kiss me and touch a bit. Nothing serious. He always stops when I say. Even though if he persisted, I'd relent. I just... and Tracey. I'm having lunch with Tracey Davis, and you'd have thought I told him I was having tea and cakes with Voldemort."

Hannah gasped then. She could not believe she had just said his name aloud. She had never said that name aloud. She put a hand to her heart. What on earth had made her do such a thing?

He rose an eyebrow at her. "First of all, Malfoy is an arse. Blaise is an arse. And Ernie is an arse for making it seem like you can't take care of yourself. I may hate that you hang out with them, but I don't think it's because you've gone mental. I just think you have bad taste in friends, present company excluded."

Harry shook his head. "You're smart enough to walk out of your wedding, you're smart enough to chose who you're friends with." He grimaced. "Despite the fact that one is a pale-arsed git and the other is a man-whore."

Hannah gave him a look. She would never say this to him, but it was the same look she often threw in Draco's direction.

"Blaise hasn't been whoring it up lately. He must be terribly sexually frustrated. I expect to be pounced upon any day now. Can one be a whore when one is exclusive to only one other?"

Hannah smiled sweetly then.

He shook his head slowly. "He's still a man-whore, and he damn well better stay exclusive to you. If I hear otherwise people will be finding pieces of him around London."

Harry sat at the table and looked at her. "Ernie's wrong, and he'll realize it. It's going to take him a while to understand it. He's known you for years, and it's just sudden, is all."

"I know it is, but have you ever just... oh I don't know how to explain it without sounding all overly girlie or like a romantic ninny. I know Ernie doesn't get it. Heck, half the time I don't even get it, but I'm happier. Why can't he just be good with that?"

"Because guys are idiots." He threw her a look. "I don't know you very well yet, but even I have a problem with it. Ernie's going to take a while. Most guys do, but he'll get over it, and if he doesn't, then he's an idiot."

"Yes, well, you still let me do what I want. You don't know how much that matters to me, Harry. I was so much not in control of my life in the past that now that I am free I've started having these nightmares about not being able to move. Ridiculous really. I screeched the other morning and scared poor Dobby something awful. That and the drowning one. I hate the drowning nightmares."

She shivered.

"This will be ready in a bit, but it'll be better if it sets for a while."

Harry watched her, concern on his face. "I have some dreamless draught you can use. I haven't had to use it for a while." He didn't like that she was having nightmares. He felt guilty for not realizing it, but he was usually dead to the world. All those years of being woken up, scar burning, and he was finally able to sleep the night through. "You'll probably need to check the expiration, though."

"I didn't even think of that," Hannah said. "Good grief, I'm dating a Potions Master, and I can't think to ask him for a Dreamless Draught."

Hannah sighed.

"So what did yourself, Luna, Ginny, and Dean do last night besides look at semi-nude pictures of me?"

"We watched Ginny get increasingly tipsy and make fun of John Cusack." He smirked. "I hadn't seen Dean and Luna in quite some time. It was nice to be doing something normal for a change."

"I'm glad you lot had fun. You deserve some fun. There's pudding with biscuit crumble if you want any."

He smiled. "It looks great. Thanks, Hannah. And Ernie will come to his senses. No one can stay mad at you for long."


{SUMMARY} Harry and Hannah have girl talk. She makes him a congratulations pudding.