Somewhere Safe - Chapter 43

Harry woke up with Padma snuggled against his chest. He had to hand it to her, sleeping naked together was a wonderful idea for a date. There hadn't been much conversation, if any, and he wanted to change that. He would make more of an effort to talk to everyone in the coven from now on. Leaning on the scant information he had from the other world wasn't going to do him any favors.

"Padma," Harry whispered.

She mumbled something in reply. He kissed her on the forehead and held her close.

"It's time to get up," Harry kept his voice a whisper.

"No, comfy," she grouched.

"Hmm." Harry trailed a finger along her spine as he thought. "I guess this calls for drastic measures."

Padma let out a little coo as Harry kissed her shoulder. She rolled on her back as he continued down along her torso. Their eyes met as he teased her belly-button with the tip of his nose. A wicked sheen flashed in his eyes. Padma had just enough time to wonder why before Harry started to cover her exposed skin with wet, sloppy kisses. She squeaked and giggled as she tried to shimmy away from his attack. Turning on her side only provided him with a new place to reach.

"I'm awake, I'm awake," Padma giggled.

Harry paused. He sat up and smiled down at her.

"I don't know," Harry pursed in lips in thought. "I might need to try again to make sure."

Padma let out quick cry and scrambled off the bed. She made it out of his reach only to realize she was standing completely nude in the middle of the room. Harry's world went sideways when Padma yanked the blanket off of the bed. She used the covers to make an improvised toga, leaving Harry nude and sprawled out on the bed. Padma giggled as she strutted victoriously toward the attached shower.

Technically, each room was supposed to function as a normal dorm. There was room for four beds and a connected bathroom. In practice, they were able to get it down to three people per. Aside from Harry's room which had one bed that cycled through many sleepers.

Harry lay on the back on Padma's bed. He wasn't sure how many people were in the common area. It was probably breakfast time, or at least close enough for a few witches awake. Walking through the open space completely naked didn't sound like a good idea. He scanned the room to try to find where his clothes had landed. The burst of magic wasn't something he had steady experience. For all he knew, his clothes had landed on Dumbledore's chair in the Great Hall.

There was the option to grab some of Padma's clothes. Maybe he could wear one of her uniform jackets around his waist but rubbing his naked body against her clothing felt wrong. The ladies probably wouldn't mind if he walked around in the nude. As long as there weren't any visitors, which was a possibility since it was Sunday.

Harry sighed. He stood and stretched, doing his best to put off his impromptu streaking. All of this just so he could get to his room to get naked again so he could take a shower.

He paused. The urge to smack his forehead was a powerful one, but he resisted. Why streak across the common area to take a shower when there was one right here? Not only that, but he could also wrap a towel around his waist so he could walk back to his room with his dignity still intact.

Harry walked over to the shower and stepped inside. He paused to take in the wonderful sight of a nude Padma. Seeing her last night was nice, but this was something else. She was a work of art in the full light of day. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her body.

Padma jumped and squeaked in surprise. She looked over her shoulder, then flashed him a shy smile.

"I was hoping you would join me," she whispered.

"It took a moment for my brain to catch up," Harry teased.

Padma chuckled as she returned her focus to cleaning her body. He helped, of course, making sure every inch of her was clean. All was going well until she finished up.

"Your turn," Padma's voice came out throaty, heavy with desire.

Harry let a sly smile cross his face. This was a wonderful way to start the day. Her eyes were filled with desire as she turned around. The fire in her eyes vanished as she took in his body. A look of panic mingled with worry flashed across his face.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked.

"What happened to you?" Padma touched the various scars on his body in concern.

"You didn't see them last night?" Harry asked in reply.

"It was dark," she shook her head.

"True," he sighed. "I'll tell you after the shower. We'll gather everyone. I don't want to have to tell it all again each time."

The building heat of the previous moment had vanished. Padma still helped him wash, but it lacked the not-so-sneaky groping from before. They stepped out of the shower to find a fresh set of clothes waiting for each of them. Of course, the elves would provide a fresh set. They probably would have brought him some cloths if he had remembered to ask.

Harry put on his boxers, pants, and socks and shoes but kept his shirt off. He gave Padma a soft smile.

"Come on," Harry held out a hand to her. "Let's get this over with."

Harry led her out into the common area. The few witches already awake froze when he entered. Delphi, Katie, and Lavender were sitting at the dining table waiting for the others to join them. They had all decided that they would eat in the Great Hall at least once a week to avoid isolating themselves. Today was one of those days. Everyone just needed to get up. A flash of shock at his shirtless torse then swapped to appreciation before it shifted to concern as they looked at him. Harry sighed and prepared himself for the incoming storm of questions.

"Wait," Harry said before anyone could speak. "Could you gather everyone? I want to get all of this over with in one time."

Delphi hurried off to gather the others. She wasn't as shocked to see his scars, she had seen him naked already, but it was different in the light of day. It took a few minutes for everyone to arrive. Some of the ladies were still half-asleep. It must have been earlier than he had thought.

The sight of him shirtless was enough to wake everyone. They all arrived and took up seats around the common area. Harry stood in the center until they were all gathered. Hermione looked concerned, but she didn't have the shock that the rest of them wore.

"I've told a couple of you what I've been through before I got here," Harry began. "It's not the same as actually seeing the evidence. I'd rather not repeat myself each time, so let me get this done. The important part is that I'm alive and I'm alright now. I'll answer your questions once it's finished."

There were a few nods in reply. Harry made eye-contact with each one before he started in on his story. He pointed to each one as he went through the events. There were more than a few times he needed to pause to give them a chance to recover. Hermione knew the origin of most of them, but even then there were quite a few that she didn't. Her mouth pressed into a thin line as he counted off the multiple hidden scars from Quidditch that he had never told her. The anger vanished as he pointed out the ones that came from non-magical means. That was when the questions really began. Iris and Rose were especially angry since they knew a version of the Dursleys. He wasn't sure if he should try to talk them down. Sure, these Dursleys weren't the same people. From their reaction, their actions matched something they expected them capable of doing.

 "Now," Harry stopped. "I'm going to put on my shirt, then you can ask your questions."

They didn't make it to the Great Hall for breakfast as the next hour was filled with uncomfortable questions. Still, it needed to be done. After such a 'fun' topic, the good mood of the day vanished. There was an overhanging miasma of mingled anger and sadness.

All they could do was get through the day. They did remember to eat in the Great Hall for lunch and dinner. It helped raise the mood a little. Rose, Iris, both Luna's, and Delphi joined him in bed that night. It was a snug fit, but Harry found that he found it much more comfortable than expected.

~§~

Harry woke up the next day feeling incredibly refreshed, but getting out of bed was harder than expected. The witches didn't want to let him go or wake up. Eventually, help came in the arrival of Hermione, Miranda, and Padma. Thank the scholars of the coven to spur the group into starting the day.

They had to settle for a quick breakfast before scattering to their classes. The fourth year Gryffindors headed to Charms while the two Ravenclaws split off to whatever they had. Iris and both Luna's had their own classes that Harry had yet to learn.

Charms continued to focus on Summoning and Banishing. Today was about theory rather than practice now that they had experience casting. Harry found it more interesting than he had expected. It was amazing how much more focus he had when he wasn't worried about someone trying to kill him, or some creature terrorizing the school.

Hermione had been given as close to the same schedule she had in the other world. It resulted in both versions of her heading to Arithmancy with him. Padma joined the trio once they made it to the classroom. The four of them sat at the table they had last week.

Harry paused when he saw Pansy step in. He stifled a flinch when their eyes met.

"Excuse me for a moment," Harry said to the witches.

Pansy glared at him as he approached.

"I'm sorry for what I said," Harry spoke before she could say something. "I don't know you and I shouldn't treat you like the person I did elsewhere. We don't have to be friends, but I still want to apologize."

"Fine," Pansy shrugged.

She joined the table with the others taking the last seat. Harry stepped up to the table and pulled another chair over.

"Mister Potter," Professor Vector set her stern gaze on him. "Four to a table."

"Oh," Harry put the chair back to where it had been. "Ok."

He scanned the room to see if there was an open spot. There weren't that many people in the class. Adding two new students threw off the count. He found a table with three witches he didn't recognize. One had dark auburn hair while the others were both blonde, though different shades. Two wore Hufflepuff colors while the other was a Ravenclaw.

Harry motioned to the open chair. The girls looked at each other. He watched their silent conversation before one of the girls waved him over.

"Thank you," He flashed a polite smile as he sat. "I'm Harry."

"We know," the Ravenclaw laughed and offered her hand. "Mathilda Grimblehawk."

Harry shook it. He then looked to the other two.

"Erika Rath," the blonde with lighter hair said.

She didn't offer her hand. Instead, she gave a small bow. Harry squinted at her for a moment. She looked familiar. Not only that, but her build also marked her as an athlete.

"Do I know you?" Harry asked.

"I'm the beater on Mid," Erika offered. "I'm on the school team too."

"Right," Harry nodded. "I saw your game."

"Don't tell Bell," Erika rolled her eyes. "She trying to turn your coven into a Quidditch team."

Harry smiled at her then turned to the last witch. Her blonde hair had a golden undertone to it with a single, long braid that hung over her left shoulder. Even while she was sitting it was clear that she was rather tall. He had to admit that she was rather attractive. Even the school robes couldn't hide the fact that she had a body that would make Muggle models envious. To top it off, there was a pleasant air about her that just radiated friendliness.

"Penny Haywood," she introduced herself. "It's nice to meet you, Harry. Your duels were fun to watch."

"Thank you," Harry nodded at her words. "It's nice to meet all of you as well."

"Enough chit-chat," Professor Vector spoke once the introductions were complete. "Resume work on the equation you were given last week. We'll go over your results this Wednesday to discuss your progress."

"Yes, ma'am," the class replied.

Harry was lost to his work for the rest of class. Thankfully, each group had the same equation, so it was easy to pick up where he had left off. They had split the sheet into four quadrants as well with Harry picking up the unassigned portion. The work engaged his thought process enough to speed the passage of time. An hour later his progress didn't feel like it was nearly as much as it should be considering the effort he had put into the work.

It was tempting to try to talk to the trio of witches, but Professor Vector did not appreciate conversation. Other than on topic that is. He didn't remember seeing Mathilda in any of his other classes. Penny and Erika had been in Charms, he had been too focused on the lesson to talk to others. Plus, he had been focused on Rose and Lavender when there was time enough to talk.

He didn't want to fall into the old habit of limiting his friend group. Every time he encountered a new person he tried to figure out if they had existed in the other world too. It served to remind him how many people he didn't know.

"Thanks for letting me join you," Harry said once class ended. "Do we have any other classes together?"

"Herbology," Erika replied.

"Nope," Mathilda said at the same time.

"Well," Harry looked to Mathilda. "It was nice to meet you. See you next time."

Mathilda packed up her supplies.

"You seem nice," she paused her packing. "I'm not looking to join a coven."

"I wasn't-" He didn't get to finish before she hurried off.

Miranda, Hermione, and Padma joined him a moment later. The trio greeted the two Hufflepuff witches politely. They didn't seem to be annoyed that he had been talking to other girls. He hoped he read the room correctly.

"Ready for Defense?" Miranda asked.

"Yes," Hermione answered faster than he could. "I can't wait to see how Professor Riddle teaches. I've heard so many students saying he is their favorite."

She looked over her shoulder to see Professor Vector still in the room. The older witch raised an eyebrow at the comment. Hermione hurried out into the hallway without another look back. Miranda gave the professor an apologetic smile before following her.

Padma offered him her hand and he took it. They walked through the castle to the Defense classroom. Hermione and Miranda had already arrived and taken seats. Harry had been worried that the two wouldn't get along. Miranda didn't have the experience with friends for the last three years and Hermione was more of a wildcard than people thought. He had thought that the two might clash. Thankfully, that wasn't the case. While they didn't mesh as well as the two Lunas, they worked well together. More akin to sisters. Honestly, he had no idea how Luna was able to be with herself so smoothly. Harry was pretty sure he'd drive himself insane in the first day.

Harry smiled at Delphi as she slid into the seat next to him. Rose sat on the other side. It was amazing how well the two got along now that the coven had been formed. He still didn't understand how it all worked, let alone how they were fine with sharing him.

"Good day, class," Professor Riddle said once everyone had arrived.

"Good morning, sir," the class replied.

"Let's pick up where we left off," Professor Riddle tapped the chalkboard behind him.

The words 'Defensive Spells' appeared written in immaculate form.

"Now," Professor Riddle gave the class an expectant look. "What tactics for defense can we come up with other than spells?"

Harry straightened up in his seat. It was amazing to have a Defense professor who knew what they were doing. He couldn't wait to learn everything he could.

~§~
Note:
The character that appear are cameos from various Harry Potter games. They might not fit with the timeline, and I possibly got their houses wrong. I don't plan on them to have more impact on the story. It was just a fun little cameo.