A/N – At the moment, it just seems like it's one things after another with this site. A few hours ago I had a couple of PM's from people letting me know there's someone writing nasty troll guest reviews under my pen name – cleotheo. Even though I would hope it was obvious, I am not the one leaving these reviews. When I read a story and leave a review (not that I read much in the Harry Potter fandom anymore) – I leave it through my account, and I am never rude to others as I know how upsetting it can be to get nasty, hateful reviews. I would just like to spread the word that whoever this troll is, it isn't me. If anyone sees one of these reviews, please let the author know that it doesn't come from me. I publish on this site because I love to write and I have so many people who seem to enjoy my stories, and I'm assuming it's the same for other people. I would hate to think that someone ended up hurt, and potentially got put off writing, because of some troll leaving nasty reviews under my name, so I hope word can spread and anyone getting these reviews can find out that it's just some pathetic troll, and not me. Thanks, and let's hope whoever is sending these reviews realises how pathetic they are and stops.
Ron angrily stabbed at his food as he moodily ate his breakfast. Normally on a Saturday he was a late riser, but these days he didn't want to spend any extra time up in the dorms, where he was forced to live with Harry. Although, right at the moment Harry was also sitting at the Gryffindor table eating breakfast. Glancing down the table, Ron felt his temper rise even further as he witnessed Harry and Hermione laughing over something. It really irked him that the pair were carrying on as normal. It was as though the previous year had never happened, and things were just the way they'd always been.
When he'd returned to school, Ron had braced himself to face Harry and Hermione, but he hadn't expected things to run the way they had. Firstly, he hadn't expected the pair to remain in Gryffindor, he'd been sure they would have transferred to Slytherin. Secondly, he hadn't expected everyone to act as though nothing had happened. It seemed to Ron that he was the only person that truly had a problem with who they were. Everyone else was as nice as pie to the pair, and it infuriated Ron to no end. He just couldn't believe that people weren't up in arms about the pair. For five years they'd lied and played everyone for fools, yet no-one but Ron seemed angry about their deceit. Even Ginny had seemed to change her tune once they'd returned to school.
As annoyed as Ron was with everyone else, he was downright furious with his sister. Over the summer she'd been just as mad as him and the rest of the Order, but she'd quickly changed her tune now they were back at Hogwarts. She'd signed up for quidditch try-outs and made the team despite Harry being captain, and Ron was sure he'd even seen his sister throw Harry a few flirtatious glances.
Feeling more alone than ever, Ron turned his attention back to his breakfast. However, for once he wasn't hungry and he shoved his plate away without even eating half of what was on it. Finishing off his juice, Ron stood up to leave just as some post owls entered the Great Hall. Not seeing the family owl, Errol among the owls entering the hall, Ron turned away from the post and made his way towards the doors. Just as he reached the door, he heard Ginny call his name.
"Ron wait," Ginny called as Ron chose to ignore his sister and carry on leaving the Great Hall.
"Whatever it is, I'm not interested Ginny," Ron snarled as he continued to walk away from his sister. Given the way she'd been acting around Harry and Hermione, he didn't really want to talk to his sister.
"Stop being such a moody git and listen to me," Ginny snapped, grabbing hold of Ron's arm.
Reluctantly, Ron turned to face his sister. "What is it Ginny?"
"This letter is addressed to both of us," Ginny said, holding up a letter that had just been delivered. "And it's not from Mum and Dad."
"Who is it from?" Ron asked in curiosity.
"I don't know yet, I haven't opened it," Ginny answered, rolling her eyes at Ron. "I thought we could do it together."
Eager to see what was in the letter, Ron headed into an empty classroom with Ginny so they could open the letter in private. Once inside the classroom, Ginny ripped open the letter and read it out loud. The letter was from Remus and Sirius, asking them to get friendly with Neville and convince him to join the Order.
"Great," Ginny snorted, practically shoving the letter into Ron's hands. "You've well and truly scuppered any chance of getting Neville on side with your attitude towards him."
"I didn't know, did I," Ron shot back. "It's not my fault Neville's gran is a whack job and won't let him fulfil his destiny."
"Yeah, but you didn't have to have a go at Neville," Ginny argued. "He's not the enemy, here."
"As if you would know who the enemy was," Ron snorted, shoving the letter in his pocket. "You've been all over Harry since we've been back at Hogwarts. You've certainly changed your tune since we've been back."
"Because I'm not running around alienating everyone?" Ginny questioned. "Grow up, Ron. Do you really think your attitude is helping anything?"
"I'm sorry, should I be sucking up like you are?" Ron growled. "I just can't forget what those two have done to everyone. I can't just pretend as though nothing has happened."
"And you think it's easy for me?" Ginny asked with a sigh as she sat down on one of the desks. "Just because I don't shout and scream doesn't mean I'm any less angry than you are. I hate Harry and Hermione. In case you forgot, they tried to kill me and frame me for opening the Chamber of Secrets back in my very first year. But lashing out isn't getting you anywhere, so I've decided to play things a bit differently."
"So all this is an act?" Ron checked, surprised by the revelation.
"You honestly thought I was okay with them?" Ginny questioned, shaking her head at her brother's stupidity. "Seriously Ron, I want nothing more than to bring the pair of them to their knees. I just don't think we're going to achieve anything if we're both lashing out."
"Sorry, I didn't think," Ron muttered sheepishly.
"I'm used to that," Ginny replied with a chuckle. "But next time, just talk to me instead of pushing me away. The only way we're going to achieve anything is together. We can't be fighting each other, not if we want to bring Harry and Hermione down."
"And we will," Ron vowed, smiling at his sister as he settled beside her on the desk. "So what now? I don't think I can suck it up and act all nice like you can."
"That wouldn't work anyway," Ginny admitted. "They would be suspicious if you changed your tune now. Carry on the way you have been, and leave the sneaky stuff to me."
"And Neville?" Ron asked. "Like you said, I've got no chance of getting him on side. I was pretty nasty to him."
"You can try and apologise to Neville," Ginny suggested. "But don't push it. Make an apology, and leave it. We've got time to get Neville on side. Just like we've got time to get other students on our side."
"Other students?" Ron queried.
"Yes, other students," Ginny replied with a smirk. "I was thinking we could try and form our own mini Order in Hogwarts. Of course we'll have to take things slowly. You'll have to be patient, Ron. We will get Harry and Hermione, and all of their rotten family."
"Yes, we will," Ron agreed. "Do you fancy talking tactics this morning?"
"Sorry, we've got quidditch practice," Ginny replied as she hopped off the desk. "Just remember Ron, I'm on your side. Although, in public feel free to continue to act annoyed with me. Harry and Hermione might get suspicious if we're suddenly whispering in corners considering you've spent the last few weeks barely speaking to me."
"Got it," Ron said. "Things will carry on as normal, and we can plan our attack in secret."
Sharing a devious smile, the two siblings parted ways. Ginny went to get ready for quidditch practice, while Ron headed off to think about what he was going to say to Neville. Ginny was right, and making things right with Neville was going to be a slow process. They couldn't just rush in and get him back onside. But luckily they had plenty of time, since Neville wasn't really any use to them until the rest of the Order had found and destroyed Voldemort's Horcruxes.
C.O.T.D.
After getting together his quidditch team, Harry was pretty pleased with the first practice of the new season. He'd thought long and hard about choosing his team, but he was confident he'd picked the right players. Apart from himself and Katie Bell, all the other players were new to the team.
The beater positions went to a couple of friends from fourth year who worked almost as well together as the Weasley twins used to. Ron's old position of keeper very nearly went to Cormac McClaggen, but Harry had instead gone for a fifth year who hadn't tried out the previous year. As for the chasers, the first free position went to Dean, who was by far the best of those on show, and the second position went to Ginny. Harry had been wary of putting Ginny on the team, but she was good and unlike Ron she wasn't proving too irrational about the previous year. Plus, Ron was furious with his sister for trying out for the team, and Harry had enjoyed winding the redhead up by actually giving Ginny a place on the team. It certainly created friction between the two siblings, and Harry was all for doing anything that drove a wedge in between the perfect Weasley family.
After a good first practice, Harry had dismissed the team and after gathering up the quidditch balls, he made his way back to the changing rooms. Since there were both witches and wizards on the team, the changing rooms were split in two. When Harry entered the boys side, he found everyone had changed and headed back up to the castle. Stripping off his sweaty clothes, Harry decided to have a quick shower before he headed back up to Hogwarts.
Once he'd finished in the shower, Harry wrapped a towel around his waist, before heading back over to where his clothes were lying. However, he'd barely managed to pull on his boxers when he heard someone entering the boys side of the changing room. Whirling round, he found Ginny entering the room. Since her long red hair was damp, Harry was assuming she'd also chosen to shower after the practice.
"Sorry, I didn't realise you weren't dressed," Ginny apologised, even though she didn't turn away and in fact openly ogled a half-naked Harry.
"Can I help you, Ginny?" Harry asked as he speedily pulled on his trousers and yanked a clean t-shirt over his head.
"I just want to thank you," Ginny replied with a smile.
"For what?" Harry questioned, looking at the younger witch in suspicion. Despite the fact Ginny had tried out for the team and hadn't caused trouble, Harry was still having trouble believing she was as okay with everything as she appeared. Hermione seemed to think that Ginny wasn't as against Harry as her brother, but Harry wasn't as sure.
"For giving me a chance," Ginny answered. "I don't suppose you really want me on the team. Not when you hate my family."
"I don't hate your family," Harry replied, even though he knew he was partly lying. Truthfully he didn't universally hate the Weasleys, but he disliked more of them than he actually liked. "We're just on different sides of things."
"I know," Ginny replied with a nod. "But I'm still grateful you gave me a chance. I promise I won't let you down. Quidditch has nothing to do with what else is going on between out families. I want to win the cup, and I'll do everything I can to help that happen."
"That's all I want, Ginny," Harry replied. "I picked you for the team, because you were the best person for the job. As long as you don't mess up we'll have no problems."
"You can count on me, Harry," Ginny vowed, giving him a dazzling smile before she turned and sauntered out of the changing rooms.
Harry watched her leave, wondering if Hermione had been right after all. Maybe he was just being paranoid about her not being as okay as she appeared. Maybe Ginny was so stupid that she'd let her crush on him affect her judgement. Or maybe, Harry was the one who was right and Ginny wasn't to be trusted. Not that it really mattered as Harry didn't trust Ginny. He'd just used her to anger Ron, and as long as she performed during the quidditch matches he had no problems with having her on the team. However, outside of quidditch he planned to have nothing to do with Ginny Weasley.
Pushing thoughts of Ginny out of his head, Harry gathered his things and headed back to the castle. His first stop was Gryffindor Tower, where he dumped his bag and threw his laundry into the basket at the bottom of his bed. He then quickly ran a comb through his unruly hair before he headed off to try and find Hermione, Draco or anyone else of interest.
Fortunately for Harry the first person of interest he found was Daphne. Daphne was lying on the grass beside the Black Lake, reading a wizarding romance novel. Harry couldn't see any of the other Slytherins nearby as he approached the witch he was getting friendly with.
"Mind if I join you?" He asked.
"Feel free," Daphne replied with a smile when she looked up and saw it was Harry who had approached her.
"All alone?" Harry questioned as Daphne shut her book and sat up.
"Not anymore," Daphne said. "So what have you been up to this morning, Harry?"
"Just a quidditch practice," Harry answered.
"Ah, I think Draco and the boys are planning theirs as we speak," Daphne said. "I'm sure it's tomorrow morning they've got the pitch."
"Yeah, I think that's what Draco said," Harry agreed.
"He trusted you with his practice time?" Daphne asked with a surprised laugh. "Isn't he worried you're going to spy on him and the team?"
"I promised I wouldn't," Harry replied with a grin. "As tempting as it is, he's my best friend and I'm not going to cause trouble just for a game of quidditch."
"You truly are a good friend, Harry," Daphne said.
"I try," Harry replied modestly, as the pair settled down for a good chat.
Half an hour later the pair were still talking away like old friends, when the upcoming Hogsmeade trip was mentioned. The trip was actually still a couple of weeks away, but Daphne mentioned that Draco seemed to be looking forward to the prospect of going down to the village with Hermione.
"Yeah, they're liking the whole public thing," Harry admitted. "I think this last five years has been pretty tough on them."
"I'm sure it's being tough on you too," Daphne said. "You've also spent five years hiding your true self."
"Yeah, but it was harder for Draco and Hermione once they started dating," Harry pointed out. "They found it hard not being able to spend time together. At least I didn't have that problem."
"What problem did you have?" Daphne asked in a teasing manner.
"I couldn't ask the girl I liked out because she thought I was the enemy," Harry answered.
"And now?" Daphne inquired.
"And now she knows the truth."
"So have you asked her out, yet?"
"Not yet," Harry admitted with a sheepish smile. "I'm afraid she'll reject me."
"Then she's a fool," Daphne answered. "Any girl would be lucky to go out with you."
"Really?" Harry's smile widened as he was suddenly flooded with confidence. "In that case, Daphne would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me?"
"I'd love to, Harry," Daphne replied, grinning back at Harry.
The smile on Harry's face grew even wider as Daphne accepted his offer of a date. Finally, his love life looked to be getting on track. With any luck the date would go swimmingly and Harry would land himself a gorgeous girlfriend. Harry was certainly hoping the trip to Hogsmeade would be the start of a beautiful relationship between himself and Daphne.
