Chloe

Ernie Macmillian, asked me out on a date, and what do I say?

"Umm…I'll go with you to Hogsmeade, but just as friends…at least for now…" I mumbled with my head down. I didn't want him to see my crimson cheeks.

"Okay. As friends," he moaned, slightly disappointed.

It's not that I didn't like Ernie, but I didn't know how to…go on a date. Especially with one of our House Prefects. And, it's not like I could ask my sister for advice because A) I was/am the oldest, and B) She could have never had a relationship, since she had told us a million times that attachment was forbidden.

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Skipping ahead to October, to the first Hogsmeade trip of the year to be exact, I stalled as long as I dared upstairs. I was the last girl to leave the dorm. Ernie was waiting on me in the deserted common room.

Since we had to dress as muggles, I was wearing jeans, black hiking boots, and a black button-up sweater. I grabbed my school issued hat, gloves, muffler, and my black coat before I left my room. Gretchen had forced me to sleep with chunks of my hair tied in knots. That morning, she had helped me take them out, so now I had a head of brunette curls.

"You look very, very nice," Ernie smiled kindly. He was also wearing boots, but his were brown. He was also wearing jeans. But he was wearing a grey pull over sweater, which looked really good with his tousled blonde hair. He also had his school issued hat, gloves, and muffler. But his coat was red.

"You look good, too. You're a pure blood, right? How do you know so much about muggle fashion?"

"I took some advice from Justin Finch-Fletchley. I went to his house over the summer, and he and his mom helped me out with my muggle disguise this year. They actually help me every year so we don't stand out as poorly in King's Cross, but this time I was actually with them."

"Justin's nice, isn't he?"

"Yep."

Awkward silence.

"Well, shall we make a day of it? Together from Breakfast to Dinner?" he asked, shyly.

"Yeah. Sounds good," I giggled nervously.

At breakfast, there was a commotion outside. Umbridge had finally succeeded in kicking out a teacher. It was Professor Trelawney. She was crying unreserved, begging to not leave the castle, because she had nowhere else to go. It's very rare site to have McGonagall side Trelawney. She was defending the poor teacher with every bone in her body, shrieking at Umbridge.

Umbridge had taken away many, many students' rights, and was reviewing the teachers and their abilities. She was even doing ridiculous things like measuring the teacher's heights. She also had a way of twisting people's words to work against them.

Dumbledore came out to see what the commotion was all about.

He then laid into Deloris. I had never seen him this angry before. And by her actions, I could tell she took the expelling of the Bug as a triumph. But Dumbledore was right; she couldn't force people to leave the grounds. Professor McGonagall led Trelawney back into the castle. I saw Harry Potter charge after the fuming Dumbledore, but was being blatantly ignored.

I was so involved in the situation, I hadn't realized that I had begun clasping Ernie's hand. He realized it too, and turned bright red.

We proceeded down the path to Hogsmeade with the other students.

I didn't know what to say, really. I could tell Ernie didn't either.

"So, how exactly did you become a Prefect?"

"I was chosen by Dumbledore, but I'm not quite sure why. My grades are good. I don't get into much trouble. But look at the Gryffindor Prefects. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. They get in trouble every year."

"Yes. I've noticed."

"I think that perhaps we were all too cruel to Harry last year. But we had Cedric…he was from Hufflepuff. You know how we are. You even abandoned the Potter obsession. HAHAHAHA!"

"Yes. But, do you believe Harry?"

"Yeah. Voldemort is back. I know it. Harry is not a liar by any means."

"I don't believe so either. And I have never been obsessed with Harry Potter. I mean, yes, he is a hero to our culture, but for Pete's sake, I don't fawn after him like other girls do."

"You used to. You're right. You don't anymore."

"Well, I have had the three years to cool off. But you're right. I did. I still think he's a hero, but he's also a kid, with a huge burden to carry."

"I guess you're right. Would you like to start at Zonko's, Chloe?"

"Sure. I haven't been there since my first trip last year. I stayed out of it for some reason after that."

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Inside the joke shop, Ernie and I started playing with some of the tamer merchandise, turning the attacks toward each other. We were warned by the owner that if we were any rowdier we would have to go. So, we left. Straight for the Three Broomsticks. It was nice and cozy in there. Ernie and I snagged a table by the fire. Instead of sitting across from each other, for some reason, we sat next to each other.

"Well, what did you want to do next, Ernie?"

"Uh, well, I was hoping you would have a choice. I mean, I don't really care where we go, really."

"I don't know. Is there somewhere you like to go here, and feel like you must?"

"Not really," he shifted nervously.

"Well, what about going to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop? I have lost all but one or two of mine. And there's always the Shrieking Shack to visit."

"Yeah, but now that we know what the shrieking was, it isn't as much fun," he stared at the table top.

I wasn't sure what to say.

"Hey, Cheer up! We are all friends here you know!" I smiled at him.

"Yeah! You and every other girl fawning after Potter!"

"Ernie, it's not that I don't like you! I've just never been out with a boy before. I don't know how to act. I figured you feel less weird if this were just a friend on friend thing."

"You're right. I've never had to ask a girl out before, so it was awkward."

"I mean, you did ask me to the Yule Ball last year. But I had to go home and see my mom. Bess was home, too…I do like you, Ernie."

"Good. I like you Chloe. Really, really like you. Am I supposed to ask your father anything if you ever change your mind?"

"No. He…he…really isn't involved in that kind of thing. It's none of his business, really."

"Okay then. Friends for now, perhaps more later."

"Yes. Friends."