A/N IF any of you are wondering why it took time to get this chapter up it's because I was working on a Short Story titled In Search of a Family which you can find at your favorite Fanfic Site Under Short Story or just Apparate over to Brigade701's FF.N profile Page. Also I was suffering from a near terminal case of writers block
Harry Potter and the Moral Dilemma Chapter 11
Hearts Wild
Harry decided to ease off on the Quidditch Team simply doing the 2 evening practices. Part of the reason he went easy on them was he was busy getting ready for the NEWTS Also in looking at Ron's schedule for the Commentating he saw how the match wasn't until the first Saturday in April. What worried him though was that the first Saturday in April was the 1st.
"So what if the match against Ravenclaw is on April Fool's day. You really think something will happen?" Hermione wondered as the gang was sitting in the common room that night.
"Hermione, Peeves will be in first class form for that day. Think about it Peeves favorite activities are jokes and pranks. The two things April Fools Day is best known for are Jokes and Pranks."'
"Harry, I doubt Peeves will Pull much on April Fools Day since The Professors will probably try to keep a super close eye on him possibly have The Bloody Baron follow him around," Hermione pointed out.
"Hermione, any clue as to what the school has planned for Valentines Day?" Neville asked.
"None what so ever," Hermione said. "Except for the ball of course
"I hope this time is better then Second Year with Lockhart's cupid patrol," Ron said.
Harry went a deep maroon at the thought of that year.
"I heard rumors that only the older students can attend the Ball," Kelly said.
"I bet something could get figured out. For some balls younger kids can go if accompanied by an older student," Ginny said. "My third year there was a Yule Ball at Christmas Time and I couldn't simply go but I accompanied a fourth year who could go. For the Record I didn't accompany Harry."
"Hermione, you accompanying anyone?" Ron wondered a strange look on his face.
"I'm going to study that night," Hermione said. "What about you?"
"I have a date already, It's a surprise," Ron said.
"For a few seconds I thought you were going to invite me," Hermione said.
Leslie meanwhile was being courted by Colin Creevey while Dennis tried to se if he could lure dates out of both Kelly and Lucy to no avail.
Ron meanwhile worried since contrary to belief he didn't have a date.
The next morning at breakfast Dumbledore had an announcement.
During next week's Valentines Day Dance The Head Boy and Girl will be expected to Lead the First Dance and also the Final Dance," HE reported.
Oh great there goes a perfectly good study opportunity. Oh well at least Justin is a Hufflepuff could be worse he could be a Slytherin like Draco Malfoy.
Ron meanwhile slipped off to send an owl. Harry suspected the Owl was headed for Beauxbatons Academy for Fluer Delacour. The Former Tri-wizard Competitor was now on the faculty there.
After Breakfast everyone headed for Classes. Harry slipped a carefully transfigured note to Ron.
You figured on going with a certain person from Beauxbatons didn't you?
Ron of course said that he hadn't invited anyone from Beauxbatons.
The Days leading up to Valentines Day proved quiet. On Valentine's Day Harry looked over shortly before breakfast and saw a familiar Carriage land over by Hagrid's cottage. When he went down to breakfast he saw that Madame Maxim the Former Headmistress for Beauxbatons was there. The Great Hall was conservatively decorated compared to Harry's second Year. AS Breakfast was ending Harry noticed two people walk in. One was a Tall Red Haired Male who looked familiar and the other one was Tall Reddish Blond and her eyes looked like Saucers. Colleen since she was still working on her investigation also had huge eyes for it was for a different reason. Both Colleen and Ron walked over to the Newcomers. Ginny also headed over.
"Charlie, glad you could come," Colleen said. "I've missed you since we were students."
"Colleen, my work was too important. Yet Ron asked Ashley and I to stop by for the day," Charlie said.
"When I saw the ruins outside I didn't think I would see this on the inside," Ashley said.
Harry who was also right there realized something
Ashley must be normal.
"Ashley is my surprise Date for the Ball tonight," Ron said. "She is extremely trustworthy for a non-wizard."
"Ashley, is his girlfriend," Ginny whispered to Harry.
Harry found the fact interesting.
McGonagall walked over right then.
"Hello, welcome to Hogwarts," I'm Professor Minerva McGonagall."
"I'm Ashley Kline. I'm a what is the word you use Muggle Friend of Ron Weasley's."
"SO you are a non user of magic," McGonagall said.
"Yes I am," Ashley said "The Ministry is aware that I know of the Existence of your kind."
"Who at the Ministry is aware of that fact?" McGonagall wondered.
"Perciful Weasley," Ashley said. "I'm not sure what Department he is with. What I do know is that soon there will be an election for a new Minister."
After Breakfast Colleen waved Ron over.
"Ron thanks," Colleen said.
"For what?" Ron asked.
"Bringing my man and I together," Colleen said.
Ashley accompanied Ron to his classes that day. Snape was the only one to give her a hard time. When they walked over to the Common Room they saw several boxes with hearts on them. Ashley was surprised to find one with her name on it. She also noticed it was in the same handwriting as everyone else's.
"That's Dumbledore's handwriting," Harry said.
"Who is he?" Ashley wondered.
"The Headmaster, He is the one at the Staff Table with the real long hair and beard," Ron said as he looked inside his box. Everyone then split up so they could get ready for a feast and ball. Ashley before she went upstairs with Hermione, Lavender, and Parvati to get ready checked her box and noticed a small square box in it along with a card. She found the presence of the smaller box to be comforting but strange especially the fact that she had a box in Gryffindor Tower. She then headed up and found the 7th year girls dormitory. Lavender and Parvati immediately got to work on Ashley's hair. While Hermione was busy with her own hair. When they were done Lavender loaned her a set of Dress Robes so that Ashley would fit in. Ashley then opened the card.
Miss Kline
Please give the contents of the smaller box to your future husband
Professor Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"Who could Professor Dumbledore be referring to?" Parvati wondered.
"I don't know. It is weird that your headmaster knows so much about me," Ashley said.
"That is weird. Especially since you are a Muggle and have never visited Hogwarts before," Hermione said.
"I'm sure there is a logical explanation. It will mot likely become clear tonight," Parvati said.
They then headed down to meet up with the guys Ginny immediately mated up with Harry. Ron had a decent set of dress robes on and they headed for the Great Hall where Dumbledore was waiting in a Fine set of Robes. HE immediately walked over to the Potter Gang V2.
"Miss Kline, did you have any trouble figuring out my note?" Dumbledore asked her.
"AS a matter of fact sir I have. First off how did you know A who I was and B that I would be hanging with the Gryffindors?"
"I knew because I miss very little around here. I also know that your future husband is in this room," Dumbledore said. "Ashley, it is I who allowed you to be able to approach Hogwarts Most normal people aren't that lucky."
"Sounds like you have a quest tonight," Harry commented.
Hermione meanwhile was meeting up with Justin Finch-Fletchley in order to undergo their first duties of the evening to Open the Ball.
"Evening everyone, I'm Hermione Granger the Head Girl here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"And I'm Justin Finch-Fletchley the Head Boy, Hermione and I would like to ask everyone to join us for the ceremonial First Dance."
Everyone immediately paired up with their dates. of course everyone stayed well away from Hagrid and his date. Ginny in her six month of pregnancy seemed to be a little more distant from Harry. She did notice how Leslie and Colin were doing. Almost wishing that the others from the team were on hand. Except Dennis had decided to skip since he was dateless. The Majesticness of the evening had an affect on Two women Colleen Falk and Ashley.
"Charlie, You were the last person I expected to see here tonight," Colleen whispered to the man she had been waiting for a long time.
"You wrote me that you were working on an investigation, How is it coming?" Charlie wondered.
"I just about have the evidence I need. Charlie Filch was definitely murdered by a Death Eater," Colleen whispered to her boyfriend.
Ashley meanwhile was mystified by Everything she saw.
"God to be able to spend years in this place. Why couldn't I have been born into a wizard family?" Ashley wondered.
"Not all witches and wizards are born to other witches and wizards. Hermione is Muggle born," Ron whispered to her. "Ashley, I miss you a lot when I'm here and you're not."
"I tend to miss you as well Ronnikins," Ashley said purposely so she could get his cheeks to blush a bright pink.
Myrtle floated by right then. She was just passing by when she noticed Ashley slip a closed hand into Ron's back pocket and then extract it only for her hand to be opened flat upon removal. Dumbledore smiled as he saw her pass the box. About an hour before the ball ended Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Justin, Ron, Ashley, Colin, and Leslie had gotten their hands on a table and were sitting down. Colleen and Charlie soon joined them Charlie had two six packs of butterbeer with him. Ashley when she saw it was a little skeptical. She had no problem consuming Pumpkin Pasties, Cauldron Cakes and Iced Pumpkin Juice but she drew the line at eating chocolate frogs and when she tried a Bertie Botts Every Flavor Bean she ended up getting a rather disgusting one and lost her appetite. Finally it was time for Hermione and Justin to Close out the Ball. Ron finally realized Ashley had placed the small box in his pocket. He didn't look at it though. Finally every one was back in the Common Room.
"Are the Slytherins always so cruel?" Ashley asked.
"Ashley, the Slytherins would consider being called cruel a compliment," Ginny said.
"Well gang Hogsmeade Visit tomorrow," Harry said.
"Cool," Ashley said. "What is Hogsmeade?"
"The village near the school. There isn't a Muggle to be had in the whole village," Harry explained. "Normally only third years and up can go there but Lucy and Kelly tend to join us and they are only first years. Special authorization due to the fact that they hang out at my place," Harry said.
The group then headed for their respective dorms for the night. Harry noticed how Ashley had headed for the girls dorms instead of to meet back up with Charlie who Harry assumed was either sleeping in guest quarters or at Colleen's.
Soon in their dormitory Harry noticed Ron looking at a pair of rings.
"Oh man those are expensive rings. Where did you get them?" Harry asked.
"Harry, the question is where did Ashley get them?" Ron asked. The stone on one ring was almost the same color red as Weasley hair and the other was a somewhat lighter red.
"IF she is still here tomorrow WE can ask Ashley," Harry said.
The crew met up at 9 o'clock for the Hogsmeade trip. Harry noticed how Ashley was wearing Normal Black Hogwarts robes and a spare Hat of Parvati's.
"Ron think I look enough like a Hogwarts student so I can blend in among the denizens?" Ashley asked.
"SO long as no one asks you to perform a spell you should be fine," Ron said. As they walked down toward Hogsmeade Ron slipped the ring with the lighter colored stone on Ashley's left ring finger. He had the other ring on his own left ring finger.
How to tell Ron that I'm going to be hanging around Hogwarts until graduation. This won't be easy. Especially since that Professor Blankwood is up to something.
They took Ashley to Three Broomsticks, Honeydukes, Zonko's. and every other business. Their last stop was Harry's house.
"This is a neat place. Man is your dog ever huge," Ashley commented. Lucy quickly set off a Filibusters Firework behind Ashley so as to distract her long enough for the dog to reveal his true form.
"Top of the Afternoon Sirius," Harry said.
"Top of the Afternoon Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Dennis, Colin, Leslie, Lucy, Kelly, Ron, who is your friend?" Sirius asked.
"I'm Ron's future fiancee Ashley Kline. I'm sort of new at all this. I'm a muggle."
Ashley then looked around and saw that the dog was missing. "Harry, where did your dog disappear to?"
"I think he went upstairs," Harry said not wanting to try to explain animagi to her.
"Sirius, you can drop the future part of Ashley's status," Ron said.
"Ah Ron I see Dumbledore got the rings of love to you," Sirius said.
"The rings of love," Ron said.
"Yes it is said if a Muggle gives a wizard or witch one of a pair of rings it will temporarily in times of trouble allow the Muggle to take on a small amount of magic. Dumbledore was figuring on somehow getting the rings to you to guard until they were needed. Lord Voldemort is thought to be getting ready for a major battle. It is for that reason that I returned from my vacation. Harry, I will periodically be patrolling the grounds with Hagrid and Fang," Sirius reported.
Harry gulped.
That night after everyone had returned and Ashley once again was up in the girls dorm Harry thought about what his godfather had said.
A/N The next Chapter will tentatively be titled Detroit vs. Baltimore. For a clue as to what I mean think NFL.