Disclaimer: I do not own CCS or HP but I do own Justin. .

Reviewers: To all my reviewers and the ones that I didn't get the chance to thank personally, here I say thank you for your reviews...

takari love: Ah...finally, exam is over...for this month only, anyway...(.). Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 25: Spying

It was awkward silence between Hermione and Justin as they walked down the streets at Hogsmeade.

Couldn't take the silence anymore, Hermione decided to break the silence. "Hey, Justin," the brunette said, looking at the dark-haired boy.

Justin didn't say anything.

Hermione decided to give the conversation another go. "Justin, what's your real relationship with Meilin?"

Again, Justin didn't answer her. Hermione sighed. She decided not to bother bring up the conversation anymore.

Then, suddenly, Justin asked, "Hermione, do you want to go to the place near the Shrieking Shack?"

"Uh, sure," Hermione answered. She thought, 'I wonder why Justin wants to go to a quiet place like that?'

When Hermione and Justin were out of sight, two heads appeared from the bush near by.

"Did you hear that?" the guys with red-haired asked.

Well, I know you all can guess who it is…o.0

"Yeah, I did," Harry answered. "So what?"

"Justin wants to be alone with 'Mione in a quiet place," Ron said. "We have to save her," he added in, looking at his best mate.

"Save her from what, Ron?" Harry asked. "A 17th year-old Slytherin?"

"Do you know how much hormones a 17 year-old guy has?" Ron asked Harry in return. "And besides, didn't you say this guy also have a thing for Meilin?"

"Ron, do you love Hermione or something?" Harry asked.

That made Ron stunned for awhile. He never really thought about his feelings towards Hermione before. 'Maybe that's why I felt weird around her sometimes,' the red-head thought.

"Hellooo…Ron!" Harry said, waving his hands in front of Ron.

Ron snapped out of his thought and immediately said, "Lets go to the Shrieking Shack now," he said and without waiting for Harry to reply.

Harry sighed and said, "Whatever you say mate, and in his thought he added in, 'I am too, curious about what's happening between Justin and 'Mione…and also Meilin.'

"Why do you want to go to the Shrieking Shack, Justin?" Hermione asked, finally decided to put her curiosity in ease.

"Technically, we're less than half miles away from the Shrieking Shack," Justin corrected her.

"Alright, whatever," Hermione said, "but why are we here?"

If you're wondering where Hermione and Justin are, they're at the place where Hermione, Harry and Ron went during Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban when Harry sneaked to Hogsmeade after knowing about Sirius.

"I can't answer that particular question but I can answer a different question," Justin said.

"Oh," Hermione said, remembering the question she had asked Justin earlier.

"So, this is a wonderful opportunity you know," Justin said. "It's really rare that I'm going to answer people's question."

'I guess he's right,' Hermione thought. 'I have lots of questions to ask him.' So, Hermione decided to ask, "How did you know Meilin?"

"I knew her about four years ago," Justin answered. "At first, we're not exactly what you call friends," he said. "But when we found out the truth, we knew our meeting wasn't a coincidence."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"Well, that's another story," Justin said, "which I can't tell yet."

"Why?" Hermione asked as her curiosity increasing.

"That question I can't answer yet," Just said, "but I may answer it after the Halloween Ball."

"Oh," Hermione said.

After a short pause, Hermione asked again, "Why did you agreed to go out with me today when you already made plans with Meilin?"

"Because that's what Meilin wants," Justin answered. "I'll do anything that Meilin asked me to. Besides, we're doing this to make Ron jealous, right? And I don't want to disappoint Meilin if this went downhill."

"I see," Hermione said.

Behind a nearby tree, two boys are hiding.

"'Mione was trying to make me jealous?" said Ron to Harry after he heard what Justin said. Realizing that Harry had a frown on him, Ron finally realized it. "Than that would mean, 'Mione was not really the one that Justin likes but Meilin."

"Yeah," Harry said and he added in his thought, 'But I hope it's not true.'

Then, the two boys continued listening on Hermione's and Justin's conversation.

After a couple more questions, finally Hermione asked the last question. "Justin, do you love Meilin?"

Harry's felt like his heart stopped when he heard Hermione's question. 'What will Justin's answer be?' he thought. Now, he can confirm everything. The boy-who-live was really curious of the older dark-haired boy's answer.

"I do," Justin answered.

Now, Harry Potter knew his heart literally stopped for only a second. Immediately, the head of the Golden Trio turned to his best friend and said, "Come on, mate. Let's go."

"Yeah," Ron answered and both boys left.

Unfortunately, Harry left too early to hear Justin say, "I do love Meilin and that's why I want to do everything I can for her."

"So, are you going to ask her to the Halloween Ball?" Hermione asked. 'Poor Harry,' the brunette thought. She new her best friend love Meilin too.

After a short silence, there was a laugh from Justin.

"Is that the only kind of love you know, Hermione?" Justin asked.

"Huh?" Hermione said confusedly.

"There's a lot kind of love in the world, 'Mione. The love of a lover, love of friendship, siblings and so forth," Justin said. "I guess my kind of love is…I don't know…but no matter what, I won't let Meilin go out with someone that I don't trust and I'm going to make sure that the person Meilin choose will be able to protect her the way I do or more."

"Someone that can protect Meilin?" Hermione said. "So, is that why you hate Harry?" the girl asked.

"Correction, Hermione," Justin said. "I don't hate Harry; I just don't trust him enough to give Meilin to him."

"But Harry had faced he-who-must-not-be-named since he entered Hogwarts at our first year, doesn't that tell you Harry could protect Meilin? What more do you want from him?"

"I need to test him myself," Justin said. "I need him to become stronger, not just in his wizardry but his fighting skills as well."

"Why does he need to have excellence for his fighting skills? Isn't wizardry enough?" Hermione asked again.

"Our enemies don't play fair, Hermione," Justin said. "They'll do anything to win." Justin's face turned serious. "How will Harry protect Meilin if he doesn't have his wand? And I won't be able to protect her when I'm not here."

Then, before Hermione could ask another question, Justin said, "Come on," Justin said, "let's go. I think I want to buy some chocolates, sweets and pudding from Honeydukes," and when he said that, his face was no longer serious.

'I wonder what Justin meant by that,' Hermione thought. 'The more I know about they told me about themselves, then a the more new secrets came out.'

As they walked towards Honeydukes, Justin asked, "Hey, Hermione, do you want to know one last secret of the day?"

'What could it be? Maybe something about their past,' Hermione thought.

"Well, now this is a secret no one knew," Justin said, sounding serious. "Syaoran and Eriol, they're…they're addicted to sweets and chocolates."

Hermione fell anime style. "What?!"

"You must think it was something big, huh," Justin said.

"You're the one who use a serious face," Hermione muttered.

Justin stiffened a laugh. "But it's true," he said. "Besides Sakura and Tomoyo, you could use sweets and chocolates to bribe Syaoran and Eriol."

"They sure didn't show that personality," Hermione said.

"Well, they're great actors," Justin said. "Besides, why do you think Clow Reed invented the 'Sweet Card'?" After a short pause, Justin continued, "Now, come on, we're almost there."

Meanwhile, somewhere in Hogsmeade, a chestnut-colored hair boy and a dark blue-haired boy sneezed at the same time. "Achoo!"

"I think someone is talking about me," Syaoran said, rubbing his nose.

"Me too," Eriol replied.

Meanwhile, at a fabric store in Hogsmeade, three girls are shopping. Well, actually, one girl is shopping and the other two were someone who was dragged along forcefully.

"Tomoyo, why do you still need all these fabrics?" Meilin asked, holding a little too many fabrics than she could hold. "I thought you've bought a lot of fabrics before you came to Hogwarts."

"Nonsense," Tomoyo said.

"If I remember correctly, I have to bring about ten bags filled with fabrics," Sakura said through gritted teeth, she herself is carrying some lacings, linens, and many more and who knows what Tomoyo's going to do with all the fabric.

"Well, these fabrics are for the costumes for the Halloween Dance," Tomoyo explained. "And the fabrics I bought back home are for Rika's wedding dress and the bridesmaids' dresses and also for the groom's tuxedo and best men's tuxedo."

Three words passed through Sakura's and Meilin's mind, 'Psychotic fashion designer.'

It was noon when Tomoyo, Meilin and Sakura finished shopping. The three of them went to the place they agreed to meet up.

IN FRONT OF HONEYDUKES

"What took you so long?" Eriol asked.

"Well, dear cousin, better ask your girlfriend there," Meilin told Eriol.

"Oh, come on, Meilin," Tomoyo said. "You have to admit that it wasn't that bad."

"Yeah right," Meilin said sarcastically. Then, she asked, "Hey, where are you guys taking Tomoyo and Sakura?"

"Somewhere for lunch," Syaoran answered.

"Yeah," Eriol said.

"Well, off you go than," Meilin said.

"Where are you going, Meilin?" Sakura asked.

"Somewhere," Meilin answered. "I'll find something to busy myself with."

"We feel bad that you have nothing to do now since we asked Justin to go with Hermione," Tomoyo said.

"It's fine," Meilin said. "I mean, I'll feel disappointed if our plan to make Ron jealous went downhill. That's why I let Justin go with 'Mione."

"But…" Sakura said.

"No buts," Meilin said. She pointed at nowhere in particular. "Now, the four of you go before I have to kick you to wherever your destination myself," she said.

"Alright, we'll go," Syaoran said.

"But I think you better transport those fabrics back to Hogwarts first," Meilin reminded them.

"You're right," Eriol said. He looked at his girlfriend, "May I?" he asked. Tomoyo gave a nod and Eriol make a swift movement with his hand and the bags that Sakura, Tomoyo and Meilin were vanished into thin air. In other word, the bags were transported to Hogwarts.

"Now, you guys run along," Meilin said. "I think I'm going for lunch at Rosmerta's and then crash in at Fred's and George's place."

"Alright than," Sakura and Tomoyo said.

Then, the two couples went their own separate ways.

Meilin sighed. "Alright," she said. "I guess I'll be on my way for lunch."

When she arrived at Rosmerta's place, she saw Justin and Hermione so she decided to join them.

"So, what did you do during the morning?" Meilin asked.

"We talked," Hermione answered.

"That's a first," Meilin said, taking a sip of Justin's butterbeer.

'Okay, they even share drinks and yet their not lovers,' Hermione thought. Then, she shook her head. 'Hey, they're really good friends, of course they can share drinks.'

Hermione snapped out of her thought when Justin asked Meilin, "So, what did you, Sakura and Tomoyo did today?"

"Oh, it was torture," Meilin groaned. "This morning, I forgot an advice I told myself a few years back."

"And what was that?" Hermione asked.

"Never go fabrics shopping with Tomoyo," Meilin said.

"Oh yeah, I remember three years ago when I came to Japan," Justin said. "Poor Eriol, he was the one who have to bring all Tomoyo's shopping bags containing fabrics, many, many fabrics."

"So, what are we going to do now?" Justin asked.

"Why don't both of you spend the day the both of you planned earlier," Hermione said. "I can go to Fred's and George's joke shop."

"But…" Meilin said.

"No, it's okay," Hermione said.

Meilin sighed. "Alright, alright."

"So, anywhere you wanna go?" Justin asked.

"I'll think about it," Meilin said.

Then, as they eat their lunch, Meilin and Hermione talked while Justin just eats his lunch silently.

When they finished eating, they went their own way. When Hermione arrived at the joke shop, George greeted her.

"Hey 'Mione," George said.

"Hey," Hermione replied.

"Harry and Ron were here this morning," Fred said.

"Oh, I see," Hermione replied.

"Want to go to our personal lounge, 'Mione?" George asked.

"Sure," Hermione answered.

"Alright than, let's go," Fred said. After putting a sign that said 'Out for Lunch' at the front door, the red-head twins and Hermione went to the lounge Fred and George made for families and friends.

"Want some butterbeers?" George asked.

"No thanks," Hermione answered.

"Suit you," George said, taking one for himself.

"So," Fred started. "I rarely see the Golden Trio not a complete trio."

"And the only time that happens was when you have a fight," George added in.

"So, did you have a fight?" Fred asked.

Hermione blushed a little. "Not really," she said.

"Our little brother's blind, huh?" George said.

"W-What do you mean?" Hermione stuttered.

"Oh, come on, 'Mione," Fred said. "Just because our little brother's blind, doesn't mean we're blind too."

"Yeah," the other twin added in.

Then, they heard voices from the front. It was Harry and Ron.

"Now go on, little girl," Fred and George said at the same time with a mischievous smile. "I think there's someone you have to see."

"B-But…" Hermione said.

Before Hermione got the chance to finish what she anted to say, Ron and Harry entered the room.

"Fred, George, why did you…" and when Ron realized that Hermione is in the room as well, he looked at Hermione and said, "H-Hermione," his ears started to turn red.

"Now, be nice you two," Fred said.

"Don't trash up the place," George said.

Harry, picking up what Fred and George's trying to do, said, "I'll go with George and Fred to see their new products. I'm their sleeping partner after all."

And with a good luck from the three teens, they left Ron and Hermione in Fred's and George's personal lounge.

At the front, on the other hand, Fred, George and Harry sat on a long couch. Since Fred and George are 'supposedly' out, no customers came.

"So, Harry, anything interesting happens in your love life?" George asked.

"Have you make a move on a certain Chinese girl?" Fred asked knowingly.

Harry blushed. "Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering," both twins said at the same time.

'Something interesting did happen, that is until I found out Justin loves her,' Harry thought.

"Hello, Harry," Fred said, waving his hand in front of Harry's face.

"Huh?" Harry said.

"You were lost in an alternate dimension," George said.

"Oh, sorry," Harry said. "Anyway," Harry was about to say something but was interrupted by someone entering the joke shop.

"I knew you guys are not really out," Meilin said. Then, when she saw Harry, she stopped in her tracks and said, "Oh, Harry."

"Hey, Meilin," Fred said.

"I guess you knew our secret," George added in after.

"Hi, Meilin," Harry said.

Then, jealousy struck him when he saw Justin appears behind Meilin.

Noticing Harry's been possessed by jealousy, Fred and George asked, "So, who's the guy, Mei?"

"Never seen him here before," George said.

"Oh, he's my best friend, Justin Rae," Meilin lied. "He's an ex-change student from Li Clan Sorcery Academy."

"I see," Fred said.

"His new here and so, I thought I'd show him around," Meilin said.

Then, suddenly Harry stood up and said, "Meilin, I need to talk to you." His voice was serious.

"Sure," Meilin said.

"Outside," Harry said.

Meilin just nodded. Just when she was about to step outside, Justin held her arm and kissed her on the cheek.

Fred whispered to Harry who was still standing beside him, "Don't let that scene put you down"

"Yeah," George whispered as well.

Harry just nodded and then, he and Meilin went outside the joke shop so that they could talk in privacy.

takari love: So, how do you like this chapter so far? lol. I miss writing a cliffhanger so I decided to end this one with a cliffie...lol. I'll try to finish the 26th chapter as soon as possible so that you won't be curious for too long... jA NE

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