Thank you to everyone who has been reviewing and following this story until now. I really do appreciate your loyalty! I really can't guarantee when I'll update because my life has really become suuuuuupppppeeeerrr hectic, but I will try my best. Thanks once again and please review because they keep me going!

Chapter 9: A Setback

All was quiet in the halls of Hogwarts that night as Harry and Hermione (as Alex) walked out of the Gryffindor Common room under the cover of the Cloak of Invisibility.

"Are you sure about this?" Harry asked as he glanced over at Hermione.

"I am sure about this, Harry," the girl next to him gave him a small smile. "We need to make sure Justin is safe."

Harry just nodded in agreement. He could understand. If Alex were the one kidnapped, he would go to great lengths to make sure she was safe.

"You sure don't sound like Alex, though," Harry smirked.

"What do you mean, Potter?" Hermione grinned as she tried to put on her best American accent, "I'm from America, I say I hate my brother but in actuality I think he's amazing, and I snog Harry Potter in front of his friends."

"I don't think Americans say 'snog,' Hermione," Harry laughed, "I think they call it 'making out.'"

Hermione laughed as well. Americans were sure weird. "Yeah, I think Justin mentioned something about that," Hermione smiled wistfully.

Harry had no doubt that Hermione really liked Justin…but he also had to wonder…

"Hermione… what about Ron?" Harry wondered out loud.

"Wha- what do you mean?" Hermione almost tripped as she walked alongside Harry.

"I mean… I don't want to be nosy, but he is my best mate, you know… and I mean…" Harry couldn't find the best way to phrase it. Did she even know?

"I…uh… look, I like Justin. He's the one for me. He's sweet and kind and intelligent and…"

"But the question is… do you like Ron?" Harry asked he friend.

"I…uh," Hermione didn't know what to say. "We shouldn't be talking about this right now! We need to be focused on saving Justin!"

"Hermione," Harry was about to say something else, but then stopped mid-sentence when he noticed a familiar green glow coming from just around the corner.

"It's here," Harry whispered as he took off the cloak, making both of them visible. The raven-haired teen turned to his friend. "I'll be right here if you need me." Giving Hermione a small smile, Harry recovered himself with the Cloak of Invisibility.

Hermione turned and walked towards the source of the light with Harry following right behind her, but then both froze when they were greeted with a familiar "Why, hello, Ms. Russo…I assume Mr. Potter is following somewhere behind you under his Cloak."

Meanwhile…

"I'm bored," Alex said as she plopped on the couch in the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Harry and Hermione said they'd be back soon and that we should be ready for their message in the fireplace."

Alex crinkled her nose and mimicked Ron, but then sighed and got up. "I just can't sit here…"

"Neither can I, woman, but what can we do?" Ron frowned.

"Hey, don't call me woman, Weasely!" Alex growled as she got up and punched Ron in the arm.

"Oh how…" Ron stopped mid-sentence as his gaze drifted to the fireplace. "Uh…Alex…"

"What?" Alex snapped when she turned around to see what Ron was gazing at. The fire in the hearth started to glow green and a loud hissing started to resound.

"GET AWAY FROM THERE!" Ron warned Alex, grabbing her by the arm and pushed her away from the fireplace. Suddenly, there was a flash of green light and…

"RON!" Alex screamed.

Ron was gone.

I know this is short, but I hope to update some time this week, so yeah! REVIEW PLEASE!