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Hell was Divination class. It wouldn't be so bad if Harriet wasn't partnered with Tamara Riddle, the hottest girl in the school. And it wouldn't be so bad if they weren't on tasseomancy. And it wouldn't be so bad if Harriet wasn't as brilliant as tasseomancy as she was terrible at occlumancy.
Which made sense, because if she could just keep her mind closed then her innermost thoughts wouldn't be getting all mixed up with her tea leaves.
A vulva. Harriet blushed, and mumbled something about it being an orchid.
Riddle gave her a knowing look, then picked up the book and deliberately flipped to the O section. "Hmm… the Orchid represents feminine sexuality and power." She raised an eyebrow at Harry, mocking her. As if Riddle wasn't the essence of feminine sexuality and power. "Perhaps your inner self is telling you to embrace your inner witch."
"I'm a witch on the outside too!" Harriet protested. Though she did dress like a boy - a remnant from the days where all she had were her cousins cast-offs, she didn't want to be one.
"I'd love to see that," Tamara said, with a purr in her voice. She turned over her own cup, and it showed a circle. "Circles mean I should expect money, or presents. Aww, are you going to give me a present, Potter?"
"But it's not Christmas," Harriet said, blushing again. Then she grew nervous as she realised that Riddle was just staring at her.
"Potter, you're so thick," Tamara said. "Are you ever going to just ask? Or are you going to vomit your feelings all over the tea leaves?"
"Er… I don't know what you mean?" Harriet stammered.
"Very well. I'll pretend I believe you," Tamara said.
When she complained to her friends about it later, Veronica patted her on the back. "Sorry Harry. Riddle's right. You're thick as two short planks."
"She fancies you," Hermes said.
"Then why doesn't she just say so?" Harriet asked.
"Why don't you just say so?" Ronnie pointed out. "You're the Gryffindor. She expects you to be the one to take the risk."
"Oooor, you could ask out someone who isn't a total bitch," Hermes said. "You like boys too, right? Gene likes you."
Harriet pulled a face. "I'm not dating Veronica's little brother. It would be too weird if it worked, and too awful if it didn't."
"THANK you!" Ronnie said. "I'd hate to have to choose sides if you had an ugly break-up."
The next day in Divination, Harriet stammered over a conversation about how terrible the tea was in class, and how there was a nice little tea shop in Hogsmeade, off the main high street, but not too far off, and it was so much nicer than Madam Puddifoots, and that smirk on Tamara's face kept her from getting out the actual invitation until midway through the class, when Riddle's tea showed a heart. An anatomical heart, not a valentine, but Harriet decided it was close enough.
"Will you go to Hogsmeade with me?" Harriet finally blurted.
"I'll consider it," Tamara replied, with a triumphant gleam in her eyes.