AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, I'm back with a faster update! This one's just a bit of a filler, I think I'm going to be done with this story soon. There should be only... seven or eight chapters left after this one. Oh wait, that's not almost finished. Whatever. There's a rather long MSN conversation in this one, I apologise if it's too lengthy. It wasn't supposed to turn out like that but oh well. My aim for reviews is 50! So give me seven more reviews please.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter!
Ron walked out of the bathroom, running a hand through his hair. It was early Sunday morning, a strange, disgusting smell had roused him to consciousness. He went downstairs and saw Hermione kneeling before the fireplace. Harry was already there, rubbing his eyes and putting on his glasses. Ron sent him an enquiring glance, but Harry just shrugged in return.
"Hermione, what are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?"
"Um...Burning something."
"I hope she's burning the homework."
"Haha Ron. Really funny. No, I'm not burning homework. Take another guess if you like."
Harry and Ron shared a glance, as they watched Hermione heap another small sack onto the fire. It sparked off a little, then smoke arose from the sack. The stench became stronger (just imagine burning dung bombs, or very smelly poo) filled the room and Hermione gagged.
"Oh ugh. Maybe I should've waited a bit longer." She muttered. Ron held his nose.
"Would you like to tell us what you're doing now?" he asked. She waved her hand through the air, fanning away the smell.
"Harry, could you get the air freshener from the bathroom?" Hermione said, pointing down the hall " And as to what I'm doing, I'm taking care of-"
"HERMIONE GRANGER!" Two voices yelled in unison. A moment later, Fred and George came bounding down the stairs. Fred stopped at the bottom and his mouth dropped open. He quickly closed it when he smelt the stench wafting from the fireplace.
"You, young lady, are GROUNDED!" George said loudly, pointing a finger at Hermione. She didn't say anything as she put another sack defiantly onto the burning coals.
"On what grounds?" Hermione asked calmly, prodding the sack with a poker. Fred scowled.
"You know very well 'on what grounds'!" he said angrily "what gives you the right to burn our stuff?"
Hermione stood up and rounded on the twins "What gives me the right? You were told NOT to bring any wizarding equipment on this trip! Therefore, you've broken with the contract and I can dispose of the said wizarding equipment as I wish!"
"But that's not even funny. You didn't even get rid of them with a prank" George muttered "You could've done something like the alarm clock thing at least."
"Well I've had enough of pranks" Hermione snapped "I wouldn't have minded if you used muggle things for pranks-"
"Muggle jokes are so primitive" Fred sighed "They're still using those... fart balloons for goodness sake!"
"They're called whoppee cushions" Harry said helpfully.
"Whoppee cushions may be primitive, but at least they don't get DUNG on the back of people's pants!" The twins winced.
"I guess she noticed after all" Ron observed. George shrugged.
"All right then Hermione. We'll stop using wizarding items for our pranks."
"But the pranks will never stop." Fred said loudly. "We will find better ways to go around your strict and non humorous rules!" And with that, the twins headed off into the ktichen. Hermione sighed and put the last sack of prank material into the fire.
"You guys go make breakfast, I'll get this place smelling normal again" she told Ron and Harry. They nodded and went off to join the twins.
Apart from the usual humorous incidents in the trio's cosy little friendship group, the school hours during Monday and Tuesday were rather uneventful, his classes were just plain boring. Harry guessed this was because he lacked the motivation to excel in his subjects. What was the point, when they'd only be staying for three weeks anyway? It wasn't as though he'd made this bet. Still, he managed to get decent work done in class. They were already at home, Ron sitting at the table doing some math exercises.
"I reckon this algebra is really useless" he muttered.
Hermione looked up from her homework stared at him "Then why are you having so much difficulty with it?"
"I didn't say it was easy" Ron retorted, putting down his pencil "Muggles like to make things harder than they actually are. And this Pythagoras person Miss Allet said we're doing. He had way too much time on his hands. Who comes up with a theory like that anyway?"
"You've only got the math questions left." Harry told him optimistically. Hermione shook her head.
"Did you two complete that homework assignment for Mr Reeve?" she asked. They stared at her incredulously "I guess that's a no then."
"When's it due?" Harry asked.
"Tomorrow" Hermione replied "I've just finished mine."
"What were we supposed to do?" Ron said, looking over her shoulder. She hastily grabbed the paper from off the table and folded it in her lap.
"Two poems of different styles, and an analysis on The Highway Man. Maximum twenty words for the poems, minimum five. The analysis has to be one page maximum."
"Gosh Hermione..." Harry muttered. Ron rolled his eyes and tried to snatch Hermione's assignment again.
"Just what did you do for it then?" he asked her.
She stood from the table and began climbing the stairs."I completed the task, like he asked me to. I did two pages, so I hope he deson't mind..."
"Can I take a look?"
"No Ron. That's the whole reason we're here. Still think that what muggles learn is easy? You're not allowed to have any help from me."
"Then what am I supposed to do!" Ron demanded "I didn't learn all these things that you muggles have. I'm at a disadvantage here!" Hermione stopped at the top of the stairs.
"Well I suggest you think like a muggle then," she said, walking off to her room. Ron hit his head against the table.
"Lot of help she is" he muttered darkly. "Think like a muggle. Psch! Harry, what exactly is an analysis? I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing."
Harry shook his head "I don't really know either, we only wrote poems," he admitted. "But Hermione told us to think like muggles, right? I'd ask for help at this point."
"That's no good" Ron replied "I asked for help and she just ignored me."
"We can always ask other people for help." Harry said. Ron's eyes widened.
"Oh yeah! We can use that thing on the computers. Allen showed it to me in Technology today."
"MSN you mean?"
"Yeah, that's it. Let's go do that now." The boys went off to the computer, both pulling up a seat each. They turned on the computer and went onto the internet. Unluckily for Hermione, she left MSN Messenger on automatic sign in. Ron looked at the contact list in confusion.
"How do we know who's who?" he asked. Harry shrugged.
"Knowing Hermione, she's got their names up somewhere." They logged into her inbox, and found that she indeed had a list of which contact was who.
"Oh look! An incoming message." Ron pointed out as a small blue window popped onto the screen.
Pink_Lady: hey hermione!
STELLA STOP STALKING ME!: hi
Hermione_G: this isn't hermione. this is ron and harry
Melancholy Minstrel: Oh. Ok. So did you two hi jack her account or something?
Hermione_G: na. it signed in by itself
Pink_Lady: woah. dat's freaky. oh not u guys. Law, James, Allen nd Siobhan jus signed in at da same time.
Marshall-Law has been added to the conversatoin
James has been added to the conversation
HAHA! sucked in tim has been added to the conversation
2pretty4u has been added to the conversation
Melancholy Minstrel: Lovely. Now we're all here. Except for Hermione, who is probably unaware that you two are on at the moment.
Marshall-Law: so it's ron and harry on herm's acc? or those twins
STELLA STOP STALKING ME!: allen, you are so getting it tomorrow. oh yeh ron. dat stuff ur bros made me sit on stinks like crap. wat is it.
HAHA! sucked in tim: uh... crap?
STELLA STOP STALKING ME!: u shut up. unless u wan to be bashed 2morrw
HAHA! sucked in tim: u jus try
"Perfect" Ron said gleefully to Harry "More people to help us."
2pretty4u: so wats everi1 doin?
Hermione_G: trying to figure out what to do with that assignment mr reeve gave us
James: wat r u havin problems wit?
Hermione_G: what are we supposed to do? what's an analysis?
2pretty4u: u just have to write about how that dude uses poetic devices and how they're effective.
Pink_Lady: dun u have the notes i gave you?
Hermione_G: ye. where do i find that poem?
Marshall-Law: you should be able to find it anywhere on the net
Pink_Lady: nd dana nd catalina know it off by hart
Hermione_G: we still dont get how we're supposed to do this. could we read one of yours?
STELLA STOP STALKING ME!: we could jes invite dana.
James: oh don't...
Melancholy Minstrel: ooo. Scared James?
James: shut up.
HAHA! sucked in tim: well i guess i'll invite her. it wuldnt hurt 2 c wat the poetry nerd has to say.
Love is like war; easy to begin but hard to end has been added to the conversation
2pretty4u: hi dana.
Love is like war; easy to begin but hard to end: who are the other people here?
Marshall-Law: well, there's me, eleanor, james, catalina, tim, allen, siobhan and harry and ron are on hermione granger's account
Love is like war; easy to begin but hard to end: oh. ok. so why am i here?
James: de new guys have neva done a poetry analysis before. good 4 them. their skools in england must be smart.
STELLA STOP STALKING ME!: do u want to get murdered?
HAHA! sucked in tim: yeh. stop trying to provoke her
2pretty4u: like u can tlk
Pink_Lady: yes allen. it's all you ever do. piss us off
HAHA! sucked in tim: u ppl r such nice friends
Love is like war; easy to begin but hard to end: i'm still here...
Marshall-Law: of course we're nice friends! if you don't like us, there's always stella and adam
HAHA! sucked in tim: oh u shut up
Hermione_G: yeah tim, what's up with your display name
STELLA STOP STALKING ME!: guess. she took the same bus as me
HAHA! sucked in tim: heaps of ppl take the same bus as u
STELLA STOP STALKING ME!: dude, she lives on the opposite end of town to me!
Love is like war; easy to begin but hard to end: The wind was a torrent of darkness, among the gusty trees...
James: u know where she lives?
Pink_Lady:...
Marshall-Law: so what? she takes the same bus as you. big deal
STELLA STOP STALKING ME!: i woz sellin choccies at da station wit my sis, and she cums up to buy chocolate from us
Melancholy Minstrel: The moon a ghostly galleon, tossed upon cloudy seas...
Marshall-Law: isn't that a good thing? she bought from your fundraiser after all...
2pretty4u: seems lyk ur defending stella
Marshall-Law: just being realistic. the world doesn't revolve around you tim.
Love is like war; easy to begin but hard to end: the road was a ribbon of moonlight, over the purple moor
Melancholy Minstrel: the road was a ribbon of moonlight, over the purple moor
STELLA STOP STALKING ME!: says u law. but seriously, she's been poppin up everywhere
HAHA! sucked in tim: learn to deal.
Hermione_G: hey, a little help please
James: oh right. soz. i'll send mine over
Another conversation window appeared on the screen. The words accept file were printed in bold in the box. Harry clicked the link and the transfer immediately began. Ron watched the green bar load with excitement.
"I know wizards don't need these muggle things, but they're a lot quicker" Ron observed "Owls wouldn't be needed with this type of stuff. Imagine, I wouldn't have to put up with sending letters through Errol."
"Mmm" Harry agreed. The green bar filled and the words Load complete came up on the screen.
"Well, I guess we can get out of this MSN thing now." Ron said. The conversation was still moving quite rapidly.
Melancholy Minstrel: and the highway man came riding...
Pink_Lady: how cum u didnt ask herm for help harry?
Hermione_G: she wuldnt help. weve got a bet running
Love is like war; easy to begin but hard to end: riding, riding
Melancholy Minstrel: The Highway Man came riding, up to the old inn door.
James: oh would u 2 stop reciting that poem! we've alreadi got double english on friday.
Love is like war; easy to begin but hard to end: you're such a prat James
Love is like war; easy to begin but hard to end has left the conversation
Pink_Lady: look wat u've dun james
HAHA! sucked in tim: yeh
Hermione_G: we better go start on this. thanx for a look at urs james
James: no problem
Stella Norringlan has been added to the conversation
STELLA STOP STALKING ME!: ALLEN YOU LOSER!
2pretty4u has left the conversation
Stella Norringlan: tim, wats up with your display name?
Allen, you're a dead man tomorrow: nothing
Pink_Lady: oh please. Stella, stop stalking tim. he doesn't lyk u. its jus a big misunderstanding
Stella Norringlan: i don't believe you
Melancholy Minstrel: I think I'm going to avoid this lover's spat
Melancholy Minstrel has left the conversation
Pink_Lady has left the conversation
James has left the conversation
Marshall-Law has left the conversation
HAHA! sucked in tim has left the conversation
Hermione_G has left the conversation
Harry shook his head and looked at Ron "I feel so sorry for Tim."
"He's probably going to grill us tomorrow" Ron pointed out.
"Well, we better get started on this poetry thing"
"Yeah."
"Come on! No stopping! Pace yourselves!" Mr Mason screamed at the students. It was Wednesday morning, second period of practical P.E; they were running two laps around the oval for cross country. Lawrence was way ahead of everyone else, Siobhan was at the back and they were all scattered around the edges of the field. Harry was keeping pace with Tim and James.
"To - think" James said between breaths "we'll - end - up - doing - four - laps - of - this"
"High school is so cruel" Tim agreed, huffing. Harry adjusted his glasses and looked around the field.
"What's the distance of two laps in this place?" he asked.
"Around - seven hundred - metres" James replied. He slowed down and stopped behind a tree, hands on knees, where Mr Mason wouldn't catch him. "Gosh I hate doing this." At that moment, Eleanor came running past. She pushed James over, and he fell forward.
"Cheer up!" She called as she overtook Harry and Tim "The Walkathon is tomorrow. This is nothing compared to that."
"She just wants to make us feel bad, doesn't she?" Tim muttered.
"I'll make you feel bad if you don't stop yakking Mr Grent! Talking wastes energy while running!" Mr Mason yelled "I saw you stop as well Mr Li! Don't think you can get awa- DANA ERINE AND LISA MAREZZI! THIS IS CROSS COUNTRY, NOT RING AROUND A ROSY! STOP LINKING HANDS AND KEEP RUNNING!" He ran up to the two girls and promptly began lecturing. Soon, everyone finished the two laps, and the field was strewn with panting students.
"I'm quite disappointed with some of the times you people got, not to mention behaviour," Mr Mason said, glaring at some of the students "Exercise is important, and I'm betting half of you just get up, walk to your cars, and think that's an effort! Well, it's not. I hope you people get better times next week. Some of you got acceptable times, which you should be proud of. Now collect your things and head back to school." The class stood up, muttering and laughing as they walked back to school. Harry looked around for Ron and Hermione. They'd been behind him during the laps. He found them at the bubblers. Ron's face was as red as a tomato and Hermione's hair was going everywhere.
"I never knew muggles had to do that" Ron said, wiping his mouth with his arm. Hermione stepped away from the bubbler and shrugged.
"Some schools have worse than this" she told Ron "so you better not complain."
"Eleanor mentioned something about a Walkathon tomorrow" Harry murmmured. Lawrence came up to them from behind and clapped Ron on the back.
"That's right. Ten km's of non stop walking!" he grinned.
Ron groaned "Who comes up with these ideas?"
"I heard from the seniors that the Walkathon is cool" Allen said, joining them. "We walk ten km's to this beach where they set up stalls and stuff. There are all these fun activities supposedly."
"Anything is better than cross country!" they heard Siobhan exclaim from behind "at least we don't have to run the whole way there!"
"Yeah, I guess so." Catalina replied "We better hurry up and get to the change rooms. I don't want to be marked absent for roll call." They quickly headed back to the school. After roll call was recess, followed by English. Mr Reeve made the students line up in alphabetical order to hand in their assignments.
"You should see how many times his facial expression changes" Siobhan commented to Hermione "It's hilarious. You could make it into a slide show, and call it 'The Many Moods of a Teacher'" the line progressed and Hermione came to the front. She was wearing a confident expression as she handed her work in. Mr Reeve simply frowned at the stapled pages and beckoned for the line to continue moving. When all the assignments were collected, they were told to sit down and do some work. The group talked casually all throughout English, Technology and P.E. Lunch passed as did double language. The students were finally released for the day. They strolled around Pemet then headed for Gloria Jeans. Harry was surprised when he saw Siobhan and Catalina remove green cards from their bags.
"What are those?" he asked.
"Our walkathon sponsorship cards" Siobhan replied "We're going to ask around for sponsors. I've raised the most money out of our grade; I'm sure of it."
Ron's eyes widened "Do we need to do that too?"
"Of course, the teachers will chase you up if you have a blank card" Allen said. Eleanor rolled her eyes.
"Don't worry you guys" she said reassuringly "you shouldn't have to, you've only been here a week and you're leaving the next."
"Just make sure to buy something at the stalls" James added. Lawrence strolled over to them, carrying their orders along with Hermione. He took one look at Siobhan and snorted.
"Siob, you know that no one raises over a hundred dollars." Lawrence told her "No one really tries and it's probably a sucky prize for highest raiser anyway"
"Show a little school spirit Law" Catalina said, standing "besides, it's a good cause. And I know that your brothers were the ones who told you that."
"They were right though"
"Still... like Catalina said, it's a good cause" Siobhan replied. And with that, the two girls stood and left to harrass people for sponsorships. Tim snickered, turning his head back to the group, then he froze. His eyes widened and he sank lower into his chair. Allen looked at him in confusion.
"What the heck is up with you?" he queried. Tim groaned in exasperation and motioned for Allen to stay still.
"Don't move. She won't see me then. NO! Don't look behind you!"
"Really Tim" Eleanor scolded "whatever you see can't be that bad" she turned around, spotted Stella at the window and kept right on turning.
"Why don't you just tell her you don't like her and get it over with? It's not like she can do anything except cry and run off." Hermione pointed out.
"Plus, she'll leave us alone forever!" James said excitedly. "Go on Tim, go confront her." Tim glared at all of them, but stood up and went outside. The others watched as the two students stood out on the street. No sound could be heard, they were just talking. Then, Stella started raising her voice and so did Tim.
"THEN WHY DID YOU SAY YOU LOVED ME?" Stella screamed. Tim's face became red.
"I DIDN'T! JAMES DID!"
"Oh great. He just had to mention me" James muttered.
"WELL I DON'T CARE"
"STELLA! JUST GET LOST AND STOP STALKING ME OR I'LL TAKE OUT A RESTRAINING ORDER!" Tim yelled loudly. Passers by watched on in surprise and mild amusement, the people sitting closer to the cafe exit were silent. Stella looked at Tim in a horrified sort of way, before running off. Tim took a deep breath in, then noticed all the people staring. He guiltily looked down and headed back into the cafe. Cassius Moab called out to Tim as he passed by.
"Dude, break ups are always hard," he said cheekily. Tim rolled his eyes and returned to his seat. The group were silent for a moment.
"Wasn't so bad." Eleanor said calmly, taking a sip from her hot chocolate "Good riddance if you ask me."
"Yup, good riddance," Allen agreed happily. "Now who's up for more cake?"