Chapter 51

Ron's POV

No one had see Joanne since yesterday when she froze up at the sight of the bogart. Hermione was still puzzling herself over how Annie was even able to apparate inside Hogwarts. One of her powers was advanced apparation though and she's apparated through wards before.

She hasn't even shown up to the DA meeting yet. Hermione was teaching everyone a simple healing charm and I was finding it difficult not to stare at her. She was just so pretty and smart and-NO! She was with Draco. I didn't like it but she just seemed so happy with him.

I caught sight of Daphne at the other side of the room and my tummy did a little flip. Why does it keep doing that?! It used to do that around Hermione but it doesn't anymore. Neville was helping her with the spell and I felt a scowl playing onto my face. I don't know why that was. Neville has been dating Luna since the summer holidays.

She looked up and caught me looking at her. She just smiled at me before going back to what she was doing and my heart did a leap. I stared determinedly at the ground but my eyes subconsciously drifted back to Daphne again. I just couldn't help it.

Before I could do anything more she walked over to me. I looked at the floor again and tried to pretend I hadn't just been staring at her. Judging by the way she giggled I failed. "There is a Hogsmeade trip this weekend and I was wondering if you wanted to go with me." She said with a blush.

Her face quickly fell when she read my unsure expression. "Oh I see." She sighed. "You're still hung up on Hermione. I'll just...go." I opened my mouth but no sound came out. She just walked away. I think I hurt her feelings. I didn't mean to. Merlin, I suck at talking to girls.

...

Joanne's POV

I feel like such a coward. How could I just leave like that? I haven't left the library in over a day. The house elves have been giving me food. I even missed the DA meeting, not to mention all of my classes. I just can't face my friends yet. They're going to want answers and I just don't want to give them. I have to face them eventually. They're probably worried about me. Especially Fred. I decided I should get it over with. Maybe they wouldn't ask. I can dream right?

I went through the passageway into the common room. Everyone was sitting on the couch as normal. Fred was the first to see me and he jerked to his feet. The others looked up at his sudden movement. "Hi." I said with an awkward wave. Fred reached over and grabbed my hand. He sat down, pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his arms around my waist in a hug. I found comfort snuggling into his chest.

The others watched me expectantly. I could tell they were waiting for me to speak and that they wouldn't leave till I explained everything. I took a deep breath and Hermione gave me an encouraging look. "I told you I have a little brother but... But I also had an older brother." I said quietly. My eyes never left the floor as I fought the emotion threatening to spill out my eyes.

"What happened?" Ron asked sadly.

I slowly told them what happened on the beach. I did end up crying again but everyone was so supportive. Honestly, it really did feel better to share my feelings. I'm not usually someone who is very vocal about my issues. I just don't like sharing. But talking to all my close friends and boyfriend now, it was calming.

"So that's why you freaked out the other day when I called you Joey?" Fred asked. I nodded silently.

...

Fred and I were walking hand in hand through Hogsmeade. We were meeting the others later at the Hogshead. This was our first official date.

I looked over at Fred. He looked to be deep in thought. A frown was growing on his face and he held tighter to my hand. Should I snap him out of it? Yeah.

"Hey!" He yelped as he franticly tried to get the cold snow off his jacket. I laughed as he glared at me playfully. "Where did you even get a snowball from in this weather?" He asked while he looked around the sidewalk with a confused expression. It just made me laugh harder.

"Yes. How could a powerful witch possibly find a snowball on a sunny, snow free day? Oh I know... Magic!" I teased.

"Ha ha, very funny." He said with badly held back laughter.

"What were you thinking about anyway?" I asked curiously. His joyful demeanor slipped away and he let out a long sigh.

"The third task is in a week. I just can't help but worry for you. For me. For us." He murmured and turned to look at me. "What if something goes wrong?"

"We've been planning this all year. We've gone through all the issues. Ron came up with a perfect plan. Everyone's been researching their butts off to come up with the necessary spells. Heck, we even invented heaps of new things! Nothing is going to go wrong because we're ready for this, and we have been for a long time. But hey," I squeezed his hand. "If anything does go wrong, we've got each others backs, alright?" He smiled warmly and squeezed my hand back.

"Of course." He agreed.

...

Fred and I were the last to arrive at the Hogshead. The others were already seated at a big table. We took our seats and Neville got up to order the drinks. Harry and Ginny were sitting next to each other and staring longingly into the other's eyes. I don't know how they don't realize that they both want the same thing. I've tried to tell Harry that Ginny fancies him too, but he's so stubborn. He's in denial because he doesn't want to chase any girls until Voldemort is gone. I can understand his reasoning but I think if we might die we may as well live while we can.

Hermione and Draco were kissing and being couple-y while Ron glared. Funnily enough, Ron wasn't glaring at Hermione and Draco. His gaze was directed on the other side of the room. I looked over and saw Daphne Greengrass and Blaze Zabini seated together talking animatedly. I knew Daphne and Blaze were best friends so it didn't really surprise me. Does this mean he's over Hermione? It certainly seems that way. Good for him!

"So Ron... You like Daphne now." I teased. His face went very red. He seemed kind of confused and embarrassed about it. Luckily no one was listening to our conversation.

"Well maybe." He admitted. "But I stuffed it up anyway."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"Well I just... I thought I liked Hermione but then... Daphne is just so smart and funny and pretty and... well amazing. I didn't know what I was feeling and I was confused. She asked me out and I didn't know how to react. I think I hurt her feelings. But now that I know I like her, I'm pretty sure it's too late." He whispered to me. He looked so hopeless right then. I smiled sympathetically at him.

"It's never too late. You'll be amazed what an explanation and an apology will do." I advised. "Go over there."

"But she's with Zabini now..." He said sadly.

"Blaze and her have been best friends for ever. They're not together." I laughed.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Positive. Go!" I pulled him out of his chair and gave him a little push in the right direction.

The others were looking at me funny as I sat back down. "What?" I exclaimed. "He needed the push." They didn't know what I was talking about but they let it go anyway and went back to their conversations. I watched as Ron nervously went over to where Daphne was sitting with Blaze. Daphne looked up and put on a scowl when she saw him walking over. Well that's a good start. I grinned as I saw Blaze push her up towards him too.

I saw Ron talking to her. I couldn't hear what he was saying but I assumed it was good because her face softened with every word. She looked like she was struggling to stay angry. Finally her face broke out into a smile. Ron grabbed her hand and they quickly left.

Fred finally came out of his pranking conversation with George. "Hey where'd Ron go?" He asked.

"He's on a date." I replied.

"No, really?" He laughed.

"He is! Daphne Greengrass left holding onto his hand a few seconds ago." I insisted.

"Well, good for him." Fred smiled.

...

The third task is tomorrow. We were all very jittery at breakfast. We had prepared everything but I couldn't help but feel very nervous. I jumped as someone suddenly sat down opposite me. It was Parvati. What was she doing at the Gryffindor table? We all looked at her in question. "I know your planning something to do with Voldemort and I want to help!" She said quietly but firmly.

"What are you talking about Parvati?" Harry asked not very convincingly. He really is a terrible liar.

"Don't deny it. Your all completely on edge." She argued. I opened my mouth but she interrupted me. "And don't even say it's because of the third task because Joanne never gave a shit about the tournament before." Okay that was kind of true. "I didn't even know why she entered the tournament until I realized you must know Voldemort is planning something to do with it. Why else would he enter Harry in the tournament?"

"To kill him!" I said quickly. I gave her a challenging look that she met full force.

"But Voldemort is to proud. He wants to kill Harry personally so he can prove he is the best." She countered. Harry looked kind of uncomfortable with the conversation topic. "If he really wanted something else to do it, he could have just gotten a death eater to because there must have been one in the school to enter you in the tournament in the first place."

"Stupid smart Ravenclaws!" I muttered, making Draco snort.

"Your planning something and I want in." She growled.

"It's too dangerous." Harry insisted. "I'm already unhappy that my friends are risking their lives but you're not as prepared as we are."

"Voldemort killed my twin sister right in front of me." She cried. "George, how would you feel if he succeeded in killing Fred that night! Voldemort needs to pay and I can defend myself. You guys have taught the DA enough. You've got to let me do this!"

"Fine." Harry relented. "Be in your common room after dinner. We were going to go over the plan tonight anyway."

...

Arrrgggg! I'm just getting worse at updating. I'm better at writing action scenes though so it shouldn't be as long till the next chapter.

Review replies:

Potterpal1234: Thanks for reviewing! I hope you like this chapter.

music anomaly: I'm not actually sure if I'm doing fifth year. I'm pretty sure I'm going to end the story soon. I might do a sequel though.

PrincessWilla101: That was going to be something she figures out later.

EmpressLupin: Heaps at different times. I mentioned it again in this chapter though.

megapoepvlekje:When it says she woke up in the hospital wing in the last chapter, I meant after her accident. I was still talking about her past. Sorry if I didn't make that clear. Their going into the maze next so you don't really need a hint and I'm not quite sure what I can tell you without ruining it, sorry!

NicoCheesediPizzaAngelo: Annie can apparate in Hogwarts because she can apparate through wards. I hope thats okay with you. Thanks for the review!

Narnia and Harry Potter 4 EVER: That story was inspired by a true story I saw on the news a few years ago where a kid was attacked and killed by a vicious dog. It's mainly because of careless owners.

sabrina-luna-potter: Thanks!

Hpisdabest: Thank you for all your support!

Sarah (Guest): Yeah, it is sad! Thanks for reviewing!

the reading girl: Wow, thank you!