Chapter Two:

"Okay, so the party is in two weeks. What all have we got?" Ron was looking at a list of supplies that had been revised and edited many times. Some of the items on the list included 'Snack food, lots of food, all kinds of food. bewitched banners, karaoke machine, catwalk and wardrobe for the "fashion show", prizes, CD player, lots of CDs, all of Hermione's presents.'

Harry shrugged, and looked in his bag. He had purchased Hermione's present already, but he wasn't going to tell anyone what it was. Of course, he had another present that he was going to give to her at the party, but the other one was to be opened in private. He would give her the teddy bear that had a spell cast on it to make become whatever animal best reflected the mood of the owner at the party.

As for the other gift, it was locked in the chest at the foot of his four- poster bed.

"Earth to Harry!" Ron shouted in his ear. Ron had got Hermione a big book of advanced spells, called "The Big Book of Advanced Spells" and a gift certificate to whatever store she wanted. He was pretty pleased with his gifts, and he thought Hermione would like them. At least, he hoped so... Oh well!

The two best friends headed back to Hogwarts, planning Hermione's surprise birthday party. So far, they had a karaoke contest, a mock fashion show put on by the boys (Hermione loved it when they made her laugh), a CD player with all of Hermione's favorite music, and lots of games like Truth or Dare and Spin the Bottle. Those two had to be explained by Harry, who had been forced to witness a game of Spin the Bottle at the Dursley's when Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had been out of town. He still had nightmares... They had received special permission from Professor McGonagle to make the Common Room off limits to those under 5th and 4th year. Also, although it took a lot of begging and pleading, they had managed to bend the rules so that t hey could stay up until sunrise. Of course, Harry and Ron had some major favor debt to McGonagle. Oh well, they would do anything for their other best friend.

So as they entered the common room, they saw Hermione curled up in a big chair next to the fire, reading a huge book. Crookshanks was "snuggling" with Hermione, but it really looked like Hermione was in danger for her life. But the cat jumped up and ran to the Girl's Dorms when the two boys entered the room. Harry shoved the bags at Ron and told him to hide them under his bed while he distracted Hermione. Harry went over and sat on the arm of the chair, and played with Hermione's hair. She always got so pissed when he did that, but today she didn't really mind. After all, tomorrow was her birthday, and she didn't feel like getting mad at Harry or starting anything. So she just looked at him and gave him a look that said "You better stop if you value your life" and went back to reading.

"Hello to you too, Mione! Aren't you excited about your birthday? The big 1- 5! Don't plan anything tomorrow night, Ron and I want you all to ourselves!" Harry laughed as he said this. He also sat down in the chair in the space that had been vacated by Crookshanks. Mione snuggled against him, feeling on top of the world. She knew that Harry was only showing her friendly affection, but she still delighted in the warmth and security that was Harry.

Harry looked at Mione's profile. She was so beautiful, the way her loose ringlets framed her face. He wanted to reach out and touch them, but he also didn't want to take that risk. Ron came down the stairs, running at full speed to land on top of Harry and Hermione. Harry grunted as Ron knocked the wind out of him. He couldn't help thinking that he had just let another perfect opportunity to express his feelings for Mione pass him by. He also wondered what would happen if he had actually done it. Would she feel the same way? Or would she be akward and never be comfortable around Harry again? He could never risk the latter, so he sat quietly every time the perfect chance came along. You were always the safe one, weren't you, Potter... Never willing to take any chances. He ignored the nagging voice in his head as he got up from under Ron and went to tell Dean that they had all the supplies and everything was go for tomorrow night.

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Ron sat next to Mione, and he could tell that something was troubling her. He asked her what was wrong, and she stayed silent. He thought it might have something to do with Harry, but he didn't know what. He also had a feeling that Ginny, being Hermione's best girlfriend, would know exactly what was going on. So he stood up, bid Mione a knightly farewell (bowing and everything) and went to hunt down his sister. Honestly, Ron - You are so naughty! He giggled at the voice in his head, and then realized that he was giggling. That shut him up.

Off to find Ginny! Ron walked "casually" out of the portrait hole to the library. He knew that his little sister would be down there studying for her Charms exam. He knew that Harry liked Hermione... was it possible that Mione returned the feelings? That's where Ginny came in. "Hello darling sibling!" Ron sang out when he saw his sister bent over a large volume about Charms. She was about to fall asleep when Ron came in. He always had a habit of showing up at the worst time. She also knew that he was up to something mischevious when she saw the gleam in his eyes. She groaned and try to duck under the table. Like that could stop Ron Weasley. Ha!

"I have a bit of a nosy question to ask you, but don't mind me. Can you please sit up? I'm getting cramped." Ron stood up to sit in the chair opposite to the one previously occupied by Ginny. She soon followed suite and sat up. She also put her forehead on the table, asked God why she had such an obnoxious brother. Why? "I need to know how Mione feels about Harry." Nope, no beating around the bush for Ron. 'Subtle? What is the meaning of this word?'

Ginny looked surprised and caught off guard. Maybe Ron wasn't as dim as she thought. Then she saw him looking curiously at a book, holding it upside down. How could I ever doubt that? Ginny asked herself. But she still knew that Ron had an idea of how Hermione felt about Harry. Why else would he ask? She had to think long and hard about whether or not she could trust Ron. She had been dieing to tell someone, because she was about to pop with the amount of energy it took to keep such a huge secret. But she had also sworn secrecy to Hermione. Should she tell him? She chewed on her pencil for a minute, watching Ron as he played with a piece of loose plastic on the table.



a/n: Thanks for all the reviews!!!! it makes me so happy to read them!

*nightling: im sorry it took so long to continue!

*CCPL: thanks for reviewing! im glad you like it!

*Stoneheart: im sorry the first chappy didnt have much plot, it will definitely

start to heat up soon!

*Katie: i would love to read your stories! I will as soon as i get the time!

thanks for reviewing!

*no name: thanks so much! that means a lot to me!

*Hikaru: i know, it is a little different for Mione to have a belly button peircing, but i

thought it would be cool to add something original in! hope you enjoy the

rest of the story!

*marissapotter: thanks for reviewing! ill keep the chappies coming!

*abby: thanks! that really means a lot to me!

*Tancy: Thanks for the suggestion! I promise not to become one of those people!

also, thanks for understanding how hard it is to keep the chapters coming! :)

*Lady Wolfsbane: Thank you so much! I will try to keep the chappies coming as fast

as i can!

*anonymous: thanks! thats really sweet!

*hermioneharry4ever: hey thanks for the review! one thing though, i dont know what you mean by "AU". as soon as i figure out what it means i

promise i will stop!

*candy man: thank you soooo much! it means a lot to hear that is has "flair"! i will read your story as soon as i get the chance! thanks again!