"GAAH!" Ron cried out in agonizing pain as the Dementor began its infamous kiss on its helpless victim.

"Ron!" Harry cried out, hanging by a finger over the Hole of Infinite Death.

"Harry, don't fall! I'll save you!" Hermione yelled, using Stupify to ward off the angered Dementors. "Ron needs us!" Harry didn't move. He knew what the pit was; he knew what would happen if he fell in.

"I-I'm sorry…" Harry whispered, as he feebly let go as Hermione screamed in sorrow. He was falling, falling, falling…

FOUR MONTHS EARLIER

"Harry? Harry!" Hermione was jerking Harry, who by now was just annoyed.

"Ugh… I'm up, I'm up! You know," Harry began, glancing to Hermione, "You can just let me sleep, you know!"

"Well, I'm sorry if you're late for your date with Ginny!" she said, smiling a smidge.

"WHAT?!? That was THIS morning?!? Great! What time is it?" Hermione looked towards the clock. "8:30. You were supposed to meet her at the Leaky Cauldron an hour ago." Hermione looked disappointed. "Honestly. Men. Never remember anything…" She went on to mutter something inaudible to Harry as she walked away.

"Well, I'm sorry if Chuckles didn't get me up again!" Harry stared at his mentally retarded owl, which got its name from what Hermione thought was "cute". "Thanks, Chuckles. You can't send a letter, and you can't even wake me up like a normal owl! Geez, I should've gotten a carrier pigeon!"

After flying an insane distance (while avoiding Muggles, mind you), Harry managed to get to the Leaky Cauldron within half an hour.

"Ginny! I am SO sorry about this! You see, Chuckl-"

"It's alright Harry. I understand." Ginny said, smiling. "I see who you really are now. The kind of guy who can't even hold a single relationship. That's alright. I have a new guy now." She stepped beside the table she was seated at, so Harry could see Dean Thomas with her.

"DEAN?!? Ginny! What in the world are you thinking?!?" Harry was flabbergasted.

"Well Harry, it was quite simple. Dean is a bartender here at the Cauldron, and he agreed to sit with me until you got here. An hour passed, and we learned about each others lives. You see, we are in love!"

"Yeah, Harry! At least I can get a girl!" Dean laughed. Harry was now infuriated. "Well, Dean…" Harry began, "You win. Here is your prize, mate!" Harry jumped across the table and socked Dean in the face.

"Harry! What are you doing?!?" Ginny screamed, astonished at Harry's barbaric act of rage. "Are you an idiot?"

"No Ginny!" Harry yelled as he continued to beat Dean, "I am just protective of you! If I know Dean as well as I think I do, then he would just hurt you in the end!"

Ginny took a long time to think about this. "Harry," she said softly. Harry ended his temporary moment of rampaging. "Now I know" she continued, "You're jealous!"

Harry was stunned. "I am not! I'm just trying to save you from heartbreak!" Ginny laughed. "Are you crazy?" She smiled. "No, Harry. You are! You think you know about heartbreak? You've never had a single real relationship! There was the Yule Ball, but we all know how that ended…"

Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. He caved. "Fine. If that's what you want…" He turned towards the door. "Maybe Dean is the one for you!" He started to the door and left, leaving Ginny confused and Dean with a broken nose.

"You did WHAT?!?" Hermione yelled as Harry explained the episode at the Leaky Cauldron. "I don't know. I guess I-"

"Then you-"

"I know! I'm-"

"You should be!"

"I can't believe I-"

"What were you thinking?"

"I don't-"

"I don't either!" Hermione said, with a tone of disappointment. "If anything, you should go and apologize not only to Dean, but to Ginny as well! She finally opens up to you, this guy she thinks is so cool, and you're late for the first date. Honestly Harry, how you feel if you were in that situation?"

Harry took a moment to comprehend this information. "You know what, Hermione? You're right. I shouldn't have gone so far as to beat up on a close friend. Wow… you're good at this relationship stuff, Hermione!" She sighed. "Oh, Harry."

"Hermione." She turned to him. "Yes Harry?"

"Don't tell Ron, alright? If he found out I hurt his sister's feelings, he'll go psycho." Hermione smiled. "Don't worry, Harry. Your secrets safe with me!"

"C'mon, Harry! Get your broom down here!" Ron was yelling from the bottom of the stairway. Harry scurried down to the spot where Ron was standing. "Alright," he said, out of breath, "Let's go!"