Disclaimer: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I will still not own Harry Potter.

Hello my few but treasured readers! I am very sorry that it took me so freakin long to update, but half of it isn't my fault. I got suspended from the site for a week, and could not update. I hope that this and chapter 12 makes up for it!

"I knew it!" exclaimed Ron Weasly for at least the 20th time now. He had grown at least three inches over the summer, and his hair was still red as ever. "After Dumbeldore showed up, there was no question of you getting cleared," he said with glee.

"We heard you the first nineteen times Ronald," said an annoyed Hermonie Granger. Hermonie had, well, changed over the summer. Her female figure had finally blossomed and her normally frizzed out bush head was now tame. It was now just in soft curls that framed her pretty face nicely.

"Well, I'm just saying," said Ron defensively.

"Um, Hermonie," said Harry quietly, "Can you come up to Ron and mine's room? I need to talk to the both of you privately."

"Sure Harry," said Hermonie, worry lines forming on her forehead.

Harry led them up to the room that Ron and he were sharing. Once everyone was inside, Harry shut the door softly and turned to look at two of his three best friends.

"Well, don't keep us in suspense," Ron pressed, looking just as worried as Hermonie.

"Do you both remember when I told you that I never had any friends before Hogwarts?" Harry said choosing his words carefully. They both nodded, "Well, I was lying. I did have one friend, one best friend before I came to Hogwarts. Her name is Katie and she was there in the alley with me when the demetors attacked."

Hermonie gasped, clapping both hands over her mouth. Ron was just starring at Harry, obviously not understanding.

"She came to the hearing today," he continued, it was so much easier to get this all out at once, "She testified on my behalf, and I think she's the main reason that I was cleared in the first place. All the way over here I thought of all the ways to repay her, to tell her how much that meant to me, and how much she means to me now. I finally came up with this, telling you two about her. About how kind and sweet she is, and how she's ticklish, and outgoing, and smart, and easy to talk to! For so long I've shut her out, and she doesn't deserve that. She doesn't deserve to be dragged into this whole mess!"

Harry was shouting now, his voice raising with each word, full of love and grief.

"And you two don't deserve to be lied to, or be deprived of knowing Katie like I do, or something close to that. She is my oldest friend and all I want is for her to be accepted by my two newest friends; despite the fact that she is a muggle!" Harry finished passionately.

Silence filled the dreary room; Ron and Hermonie's mouths were hanging open in shock.

"Well," Ron said finally, "She good looking?"

"What?" Harry asked, stunned.

"Is she good looking?" Ron repeated slowly, "I might have to dock her points if she's a cow."

"No, she's definitely not a cow," Harry paused, "She's beautiful"

"Got a picture of her?" asked Ron, not giving up easily.

Harry walked over to his school trunk and sifted through the contents until he found what he was looking for. He withdrew a photo of Katie at her 15th birthday party. She had dressed for the occasion, but he hadn't noticed; he was too preoccupied with everything to get truly into the spirit. Now that Harry was really looking at the picture, he had no idea how blind he could be. Harry halfheartedly handed the photograph to Ron.

Ron looked at it and let out a low whistle, "Damn Harry, I wish you could have told me sooner; I could have a girlfriend by now if you had."

Harry couldn't help but grin.

"Harry, does she know?" Ron asked seriously.

"Well of course she knows Ronald," said Hermonie coming out of her trance-like state, "If she went to the Ministry she had to of known."

"I'm sorry you two," Harry said ashamed of himself, "I guess I just wanted to keep Katie all to myself; I was being selfish, sorry."

"I don't blame you mate," said Ron grinning hugely and holding up the picture of Katie.

Harry glared at Ron.

"It's okay Harry," said Hermonie genuinely, "We really understand."

"I'm glad," said Harry smiling goofily for the second time that night.

Harry dreamed about Katie that night, again. They were both lying on top of Harry's bed in his dormitory back at Hogwarts. Harry had his arms around her, Katie's face resting on his chest. They didn't say anything, but there was no need to. Harry brought his face down to her's and kissed her lips in earnest. Harry's subconscious had obviously wised up some since Harry's last dream, because Harry kissed, held and touched Katie without hesitation or thought. This is what he wanted; this is what he needed. And just as Harry's hand was slowing making it's way up Katie's shirt, she pulled away and gave him a look of deepest despair.

"Harry," she said calmly, "I love you, but I'm just not ready, I'm sorry."

"It's okay," he said sympathetically, "We have all the time in the world."

"I'm glad," she said, sliding back into his arms. She planted a passionate kiss on his lips and Harry felt himself get lost into it, never wanting to come up for air.

"Everything is almost ready my lord. The muggle girl will soon be ours"

"Excellent, I just hope Dumbeldore takes the bait"

"What about Potter my lord?"

"He will be unharmed until he is brought to me. Potter is mine! The girl must be unharmed too, at first. When the plan is complete you may have your fun with her"

"Yes my lord"

Ohhhhhh, everything is starting to come together!

Thanks to deathstreet91 and dragonriderhp for reviewing. But where's minimickey008? Only two Musketeers have joined the party, now I 'm sad...

Chapter 12 will be up in 10 minutes, don't worry! I promise, you know what to do! Cough, cough.