Title: Harry Potter and the Next Year Chapter: 4 Disclaimer: Same as previous chapter

Dinnertime came quickly for the students at Hogwarts who were finishing up their first day of school. The students quickly entered the Great Hall, ready to eat their food. Almost everyone took a seat right away. Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Tawny took the same seats they had earlier that day. They listened as Dumbledore made a small speech. After Dumbledore gave his speech, food magically appeared on the table and all the students started to eat. "I can't believe we've already survived a whole day here," Harry said. "Yeah, I can't believe it," Ron added, "So, um, Tawny. I'm really sorry about the way I acted earlier. I was wrong, you were right about being a mad at me. So, will you be my friend again?" "Number 1, I can't be your friend AGAIN because I didn't really think we were friends. Number 2, I already gave you your last chance, and you blew it. I don't think I want to be your friend after the way you treated me." "Tawny, he acted the way he did because he didn't want to lose you to Malfoy," Hermione told her. "What do you guys have against me being friends with Draco?" Tawny asked. "He's is stupid ferret. That's what we have against him," Ron said. "A stupid ferret? How low can get? Calling people names," Tawny said. "I feel sorry for your mother. Having a child, only to have her end up bad," Ron said. "Don't you ever make jokes about my mom," Tawny said holding back tears as she ran out of the room. Back at the Slytherin table, Draco and his friends were talking. "Weasel is stupid. Thinking he can keep me from Tawny," Draco said. "Why would you want a Gryffindor, Draco darling, when you could have me?" Pansy asked. "Why would I want a stupid witch like you? And never, ever call me darling," Draco said. "There goes your Gryffindor angel," Pansy said while pointing to Tawny who was walking out of the Great Hall crying. Draco stood up and followed Tawny. Tawny didn't know where she was going, and she didn't care. She was extremely mad at Ron for making that comment about her mother. 'If only he knew,' Tawny thought to herself. She walked out of the castle and walked towards the lake. When she got there, she laid down on the ground on stared up into the sky. "What's wrong?" Draco asked while sitting down next to Tawny. "Ron. He's being really mean to me," Tawny said. "Maybe that's because you shouldn't be friends with him. You deserve better than those Gryffindors you hang out with," Draco said. "Look Draco, thanks trying to make me feel better, but I think I just need to be alone for a while," Tawny said.

With that, Tawny walked back towards the castle and towards the Gryffindor Common Room. On the way, she ran into Hermione. "Hey Tawny, wait up," Hermione said. "Hey Hermione," Tawny replied. "Ron is really sorry, and he really wants to be your friend," Hermione said. "If he really wants to be my friend, I think he could show it better," Tawny said. "Yeah, I would have to agree, he did sound lame," Hermione replied, "and I know Ron really wants to be your friend." "Let me guess, he asked you to tell me that," Tawny said. "No, he didn't," Hermione said, "just talk to him." "Fine, but this is absolutely the last time," Tawny said. "Great," Hermione said. Hermione and Tawny walked back to the common room together. When they arrived in the room, they saw Ron and Harry sitting in two of the chairs. When Ron saw the two girls walk in he immediately stood up and walked over to them, followed closely by Harry. "Could I please talk to you Tawny?" Ron asked. "Fine," Tawny replied. "Look I would just really like to say that I am really sorry about how I have been acting, and I am sorry for trying to keep you from making friends with Malfoy. I am sorry for anything that I might have said that has hurt you in anyway. I would really like to be your friend, would you please give me the chance to get to know you better?" Ron said. "Sure, I will give you the chance to get to know you better. I also understand that you were just trying to protect me from Draco, but why, I still don't know, anyway, I forgive you," Tawny replied. "Thanks," Ron said. "Well, I'm going to go do my homework now," Tawny said. "Me too," Hermione said. "We'll see you guys later," Tawny said. With that, the two girls went up to their rooms to do their homework. Harry and Ron decided to play some wizard chess. Three hours later, the guys finished their game of chess, and went to their rooms to go to bed.

A/N: Sorry it took me so long to post this chapter, but I had to keep rewriting it because I just couldn't get it right. I hope you like this chapter. I don't know when I'll post the next chapter; I'm fresh out of ideas. Also, I need your opinion on who should go out with who.