It's been a two weeks and Ron and Hermione were still avoiding each other. It wasn't that hard; Ron was snogging Lavender most of the time and Hermione secluded herself in the library. Harry was doing his best to spend time with each of them, but he was getting frustrated with their avoidance.

"Have you tried locking them in a closet?" Tony asked.

Harry had called his dad in a fit of frustration after his last conversation with his friends.

"I don't think that works in real life Dad" Harry sighed.

"Oh, I don't know about that. Both Ron and Hermione are the stubborn type. They won't talk until something drastic happens. Besides, the method totally works."

"How many people have you locked in closets?" Harry asked. It was very easy to picture his dad locking people in closets, especially if he didn't like them.

"Not as many as you're thinking, I'm sure" Tony teased. "But I had a nice lady by the name of Nymphadora Tonks over. Very nice young lady. Anyway, Aileen brought her over one day, for lunch or something, and Remus just happened to be finishing up with a meeting with me – and the rest is history."

"Wait, you locked Remus and Tonks in a closet together?"

"Yeah!" Tony cheered. "Worked like a charm."

"Why did you do that? Wait, is that why she was so weird at the Burrow? And why Aileen talked to Professor Lupin?"

"Yup. Aileen brought me into it when Sirius' attempts weren't working. I am known for coming up with out of the box solutions to problems."

"I don't know if locking people in closets is an 'out of the box solution'."

"Of course, it is Harry. Don't question the method!"

"How were you even able to lock them in the closet?"

"It was rather easy actually. As I said, Aileen invited Tonks over, she explained the plan. I guess she was quite desperate because she went right along with it. She waited in the chosen closet while I maneuvered Remus over after our meeting. He's already gotten used to my eccentricities so he didn't even question me when I asked him to get something from the closet. Once he opened the door, I pushed him in and locked it. Left them there for a few hours."

"A few hours!?"

"Well, I didn't want to rush them. We provided some pillows and blankets."

Harry just stared blankly at the wall in front of him. "I am not going to think about that."

Tony cackled.

"Remind me to never fall in love." Harry said.

"It's a bit late for that I hear."

"Bloody hell, what does that mean?"

"A little kitty told me that you're stalking someone. A certain wannabe elven prince."

"Really? Elven prince?"

"I know Legolas is so much prettier. Hence the wannabe part."

"Aww, you think Clint is pretty?" Harry teased.

There was silence on the other side and Harry froze, running through what he had just said.

"Sorry, Dad."

"No, it's fine." Tony sighed. "I think we can work things out, but I'm done being the one to apologize. It's time for them to step up."

Harry nodded, "Good, I'm glad."

Tony chuckled, "So tell me about this party Aileen told me about." Thankfully changing the subject away from Malfoy.

Harry rolled his eyes, "Professor Slughorn hosts these parties for his favorite students. I've been able to get out of them up until now. However, he had Hermione make sure I'm free that night. It's just going to be a bunch of people feeding each other's egos. I don't need more people telling me I'm 'The Chosen One'."

"You should join me at charity galas. Same type of atmosphere, except everyone is uber rich."

"Yeah, this is why you are going to leave Stark Industries to Harley and not me."

"You really think I'm going to allow Harley control over my company? He's already pledged himself to Friday for when she takes over the world. With Stark Industries the kid would probably help her!"

"Hmm, guess I'll have to ask him what he's offering her. Need to stay on her good side."

"NO ONE is taking over the world."

"I would be a benevolent overlord, Boss. Kind, yet firm." Friday said.

"I have no such aspirations, but I Little Sister Friday has been very persuasive, so I have no objections." Jarvis added.

"Nope, we are not going there."

"But Boss!" Friday whined.

Harry laughed as the two continued to argue.

/

"Hey Ron" Harry greeted.

"Hey Harry" Ron replied. He was sitting in the common room, actually doing his schoolwork.

"Surprised to see you without Lavender." Harry quickly glanced around the room.

Ron sighed, "Yeah, managed to convince her I needed to be alone to do finish the Potions assignment."

Harry took the seat next to him, "She is a bit clingy"

"You said it mate."

"Well, I'll help if you need an escape" Harry winked. Ron laughed. "And I'm sure if the two of you talked, Hermione would help too."

Ron groaned, "I don't know what her problem is."

"You acted almost the exact same when she and Krum were together."

Ron rolled his eyes, "Krum was a git."

"Right" Harry replied noncommittally. He decided to end the conversation before the redhead went off on a rant.

"Oh, by the way. I had a few seventh years come up to me and to ask if you're willing to do more defense training." Ron said.

"Defense training?"

"Yeah, I was doing some warm ups outside yesterday. You know, just to move around, and I guess they were interested. They asked where I learned and I told them you taught a bunch of us last year when we were Dumbledore's Army."

"And they want to learn? Why?"

"They want to be Aurors" Ron shrugged, "And you were right, about how you won't always have your wand to attack your opponent."

Harry hummed, "I'll think about it."

/

After he finished his assignments for the day, he went to the library to find Hermione. He was supposed to have training with Aileen but she hadn't stopped pushing him towards Malfoy so he decided to avoid her until the party had passed.

He found Hermione among the many stacks, returning several books to their shelves. "Hey Hermione" Harry greeted.

"Hello, Harry" Hermione replied.

"Hey, so about Slughorn's party – "

"Well, I'm not going with Ron" Hermione hissed, "so I made other arrangements."

"Oh, well, I was thinking…why don't we go together. As friends." He said.

She stared at him blankly, then she seemed to deflate, "Why didn't I think of that!"

"Uh – I'm guessing you already have a date then."

She shifted uncomfortably, "Yeah"

"Uh – that's cool. Who did you ask?"

"I-it's, well, it's a surprise." She stuttered.

"Ok, that's…um…fine, I guess. I'll find someone else." He replied. Something was definitely up, but he doubted Hermione would tell him anything more.

"You need to be careful who you ask." Hermione warned.

"Careful?"

She nodded, "I overheard some girls talking about ways to slip you a love potion."

Harry blinked, "I'm sorry, what?"

"At least a dozen of them. They bought Fred and George's love potions. I would be careful of what you eat and drink in the next few days."

"Uh, yeah. I'll be on the lookout." His head spun. He had enough problems, the last thing he needed was to be poisoned by a bunch of girls!

"The best way to get rid of them is to ask someone to the party." Hermione said.

"I'm working on it Hermione."

/

Harry walked through the castle, he wanted to figure out a date to Slughorn's party before the end of the day. Before any of those girls Hermione mentioned had a chance to accost him.

He walked down an empty corridor when a flash of blonde caught his eye. At first, he thought it was Malfoy up to no good, but when he looked, Luna was skipping towards him.

"Luna!" Harry greeted.

"Hello, Harry" She replied.

"How have you been?"

"I've been alright. A bit lonely since the DA disbanded."

"Oh, well I've been asked to do some defense courses for some seventh years. Would you be interested as well?"

"That would be fun." She smiled.

Harry nodded, "I'll write up another announcement then. And, uh – would you like to go to Slughorn's party with me? As friends?"

Luna's wide eyes grew even wider, "Slughorn's party? With you?"

"Yeah, we're allowed to bring a guest, so I thought you might…I mean…you don't have to…."

"Oh, no, I'd love to go with you as friends!" Luna said, beaming as he had never seen her beam before. "Nobody's ever asked me to a party before, as a friend!"

"Brilliant! I'll meet you at the entrance hall at eight."

She nodded and they went their separate ways.

/

The next day Harry posted a sign next to his study hall post about a defense class. They would be once a week for an hour. Most of it would be hand to hand, but they would also cover dueling. He even got Ron to assist him.

"Do you think people will show?" Harry asked Ron as the two made their way back to the common room.

"Of course. I bet some from the DA will even show up." Ron said. "I'm actually surprised you're doing this. I mean, it's not like you have a lot of free time."

"I know" Harry groaned, "but I convinced Aileen to replace one of our training sessions with this one, since I'll still be training, just not with her."

Ron nodded, then went stiff. Harry turned, expecting to see Lavender running down the corridor, but it was Hermione instead.

"Morning Harry" She greeted without stopping.

"Hi" He replied slowly. They both watched as she walked down the corridor. "You two should really talk. This is getting ridiculous."

"I'm not apologizing, I didn't do anything wrong!"

"My dad's idea of locking you two in a closet is starting to look really appealing." He sighed, and walked to their next class.

"Wait, what?" Ron shrieked and scrambled after him. "Harry, what did you say?!"

What do you think? Should I lock the two of them in a closet? ;p
Hope you all enjoyed the chapter!