A/N: Okay, there's a song in this chapter that's pretty interesting

A/N: Okay, there's a song in this chapter that's pretty interesting. It goes to the tune of a song… I'm not sure of the name. It's an old song and if you've seen the newer version of 'The Parent Trap', it plays at the beginning of that. If you've ever heard the song, though, you should be able to pick out the tune. (And no reviews asking how in the world he knew about that song! He just knew it, okay?!) Yeah. Well, on with the chapter.

Chapter 15: Valentine's Day

"Hermione, are you sure you're okay?" Ron asked, giving her a concerned look.

"Wha… Oh, yeah. Sure…" she mumbled, burying her head in her arms.

"Couldn't sleep?"

"Yeah," she yawned, "Something like that."

"Have you slept at all since we came back?"

"Nope."

Ron gave her a stern look. "Look, it's been a week. I know Harry being gone is something to worry about, but you can't do this to yourself. Risking your health isn't going to make things better."

"I think Azar needs this talk more than I," she said, glancing up at him, "She hasn't even been in the Great Hall since we got back. Not that I know of, anyways. I may not be sleeping, but she's not eating."

"You don't know that," Ron said, not believing the words himself, "She looks perfectly fine to me."

"Has she smiled this whole week, Ron? Has she raised her hand in class? Has she even used that 'kit of mayhem'?"

Ron stared at his feet a moment. "Well, we'd better get to class. Breakfast is over."

The two trudged out of the Great Hall, not even noticing the footsteps that rushed past them.

Draco Malfoy hurried down the hall, trying to keep the Invisibility Cloak all the way on as he went. He headed straight for Dumbledore's office. Racing around a corner, he ran smack into Snape. They both stumbled back from the impact. Snape looked around, perplexed for a moment, then gave the air next to Draco a piercing glare.

"I'd think you'd know better than to cut corners in that cloak by now, Draco."

"Sorry, Professor. I was in a hurry."

"Well, go on then," Snape said, still looking at the space next to where the boy stood, "and watch where you're going next time."

Draco hurried off to the gargoyle, whispered "bloodsicle," and then scurried into the office. Finding it empty, he whipped off the cloak, prepared to wait for Dumbledore.

"Hey, Fawkes," he smiled, petting the bird under its chin, "I have something for you."

He pulled out a small container holding something semitransparent and yellowish in color. "It took me forever to find out what frankincense is," he told the bird as it eagerly gulped the gum, "And then I was lucky Professor Sprout had the right kind of trees."

"I see you've been doing your research."

Draco turned around to find that Dumbledore had come in.

"I think that's very kind of you to go through all that trouble so Fawkes could have a snack."

"Ah, it's nothing. I've got nothing better to do, anyways," Draco said, shrugging.

"So, do you have any news for me?" Dumbledore asked, sitting down.

Draco followed suit, giving a slight sigh. "Ron and Hermione aren't taking it so well. Hermione doesn't seem to be sleeping. I think she's hiding something, too. Like she's doing something else each night, rather than just lying awake."

Draco continued, not noticing the sparkle that came to Dumbledore's eyes at hearing this. "They seem to think Azar's not eating, but she is. She just gets to the Great Hall before anyone else and takes her food outside. You know, it's kind of weird," Draco mused, "You'd think she'd be saddest of all, and she acts like it. She doesn't even talk unless she has to…but I don't think it's because she's depressed. It's more like…well, this may sound weird, but she just seems to be thinking a lot."

Dumbledore nodded, smiling. "Yes, I expected as much."

Draco looked surprised. "But doesn't she like him?"

"I am not able to read minds, Draco."

"Well it certainly seemed like she liked him. And I know that if He- er… if someone I liked disappeared, I wouldn't just be thoughtful," Draco said, trying not to blush at his near slip.

Dumbledore seemed amused at his comment, but continued on. "She has reasons, Draco. A girl like that has every basis to be thoughtful. So, how are your studies? I hope this hasn't hindered them in any way."

"No. I'm actually doing better than I ever did before. As I said, there's not much else to do."

"Well, you'd better get back to class. The halls should be empty by now."

"Yeah, okay. Thanks, Professor. I'll see you around."

The man nodded, unable to hide the smile that crept to his face. He was pleased with his part-time spy. In fact, he was beginning to see why Snape had insisted on giving Draco the small job.

****

Ron's face brightened greatly as he read the post on the bulletin board. It read:

"Somewhere In My Heart"

Due to the great success of the school dance two years ago, the prefects have decided to have another. It shall be held on February 14th, Valentine's Day. Only students of fourth year and above may attend. There shall be a party in the library for all those too young to participate. The theme is "Somewhere In My Heart" and dress robes are required. You may choose to come alone or have a date. There shall also be a voting booth where you can vote for the "cutest couple" in your year. Winners will be announced near the end of the dance. This is the perfect time to let that special someone know how you feel, so don't miss out!

He knew exactly whom he was going to ask, but Ron decided not to do it that moment. After all, he felt he owed Hermione something after he had been so awful about the Yule Ball. He didn't know what, but he knew he was going to do something big, something spectacular, something that would be talked about for years to come…

"Oh hey, cool. Only two weeks away," Seamus remarked, reading the notice, "You gonna ask Hermione, Ron?"

"What? Why? You're not going to ask her, are you? You'd better not!"

"Whoa, relax," Seamus said, holding up his hands defensively, "I was just asking."

"Oh. Sorry," Ron smiled awkwardly, "Hey, could you make sure no one asks her until I get a chance to?"

"Uh, sure, but why don't you just ask her now?"

Ron's grin widened. "You'll see."

****

Hermione sat in the library, trying to study. She found it very hard, for her sleep-deprived eyes constantly kept drooping. She was just about to doze off when suddenly a pair of shoed feet appeared on her books. Perplexed, she looked over and saw that the chair next to her was seemingly leaning back on its own.

"Hey, mudblood," came a familiar sneering voice.

"Oh, it's you," she snuffed, "What do you want, Malfoy?"

"I was so bored that I just happened to wander in here. It's my luck that I found someone to pester. So, that Weasel ask you to the dance yet?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but no," she said, glaring at the chair.

"What, he losing interest? Did he finally realize that even he could get a better catch than you?"

She glowered at him, and then reached out, shoving hard against his invisible chest. Hermione smiled as she watched the chair tip, it and its contents falling to the ground with a loud clatter. Draco's sprawled legs were visible for a moment, but he quickly hid them, knowing the noise would bring Madam Pince. When her angry face appeared from around a bookshelf, Hermione smiled sweetly.

"I'm sorry, Madam Pince. I accidentally knocked over a chair. I promise it won't happen again."

"It better not. The library is a place for study, not for noise!"

She skulked away once more and Hermione heard Draco get up.

"You lousy little mudblood!" the boy hissed, "What was that for?!"

"Ron was right," she said calmly, turning back to her books, "You are just a useless little Death Eater."

Suddenly, the chair she was sitting on was pulled out from underneath her and she fell to the ground with a dull plop.

"Never," came Draco's voice, sounding extremely strained, "compare me to those mindless murderers. I am not one of them!"

With that, the chair flew through the air, smashing against the wall. As Draco's quick footsteps faded, Madam Pince appeared once more. Before Hermione could even try to explain, the woman ordered her out. Hermione picked up the books off the table and headed out, pausing by the broken chair. With a bit of a jolt, she realized that Draco could have thrown it right at her. As she walked out of the library, she wondered why he hadn't.

****

"Please eat with us, Azar," Hermione begged, pulling the girl toward the Great Hall.

"Oh, all right," she complied, grudgingly following Hermione.

They entered the Great Hall and headed for Gryffindor table. Ron, who was at the end nearest the staff table, waved at them. They came over and sat down right across from him.

"So, you eating with us, Azar?" Ron asked, his voice higher pitched than normal.

She nodded, glumly stirring the pasta with her fork. They ate in silence for a moment and then Ron stood up with a jolt.

"Er…I-I just remembered that I forgot something in-in my dormitory," he stuttered, going bright red, "I'll be r-right back."

Hermione watched him race off from her corner seat at the table. Shaking her head, she turned back to Azar.

"Is it just me, or is he acting a bit weird?"

"He's acting a bit weird."

Suddenly, the whole Great Hall went pitch black, as if the magical ceiling had just been switched off. A murmur of surprise went through the crowd, but was quickly silenced when music began to play. Two spotlights appeared out of nowhere, zooming around the room for a while before coming to rest on a figure that had appeared in front of the staff table.

He was facing them, but his chin was down and he was holding his hat (which looked much like the one Dudley had to wear at Smeltings) low over his eyes. The band of the hat was striped red and white, while the rest was made of straw. He was leaning against a black cane and had his legs crossed in a relaxed manner. He was wearing a black, two-piece suit with white undershirt and black bowtie to match, and his ebony shoes shone brightly in the spotlight.

Apparently the music had reached the right place, for he suddenly looked up, pulling the hat out of his eyes, and the whole crowd found themselves staring at the grinning face of Ron Weasley. One of the spotlights floated off him and found its way to Hermione, who looked completely shocked. Then Ron began to sing (his voice magically magnified), doing a little dance number as he went along.

"H- is for how I love…you so. E- is for every blessed thing…you know. R- is really, really how you make me oh-so-silly. M- is how you're more than anything I could hope for. Oh, I- is instantly how I fell…for you. O- is only how my love…is true. N- is how we'll never, ever be anything but together. E- is each day I spend dreaming about you on end. Hermione, you are just a dream…come true. If…you left, I wouldn't know what…to do. Here's my offer, so please take it. Come with me to the dance, I hope you make it. Oh, Hermione, love was made for me and you!"

He ended the song on one knee, one hand holding Hermione's, the other holding his hat and cane to his chest. The whole crowd was near hysterics, some people literally rolling on the ground with mirth. Azar was laughing for the first time in weeks.

A little out of breath, Ron asked, "Hermione, will you go to the Valentine's Day dance with me?"

Nodding eagerly, she laughed, "Yes, of course!"

Ron stood up, taking her in an embrace. A cheer rang through the Great Hall as everyone got on his or her feet, clapping. A few Gryffindor boys gave howls of admiration. Then Ron placed his hat on Hermione's head and literally swept her off her feet, carrying her out of the room. Just as they came to the door, Hermione took his face in her hands and kissed him. The cheers grew into a roar and the two swept through the door. It was an event that would go down in Hogwarts history…

****

"Well, how do you like it, Ron?" Azar asked as they entered.

Being prefects, both she and Hermione had been on the decorating committee and they were eager for an outside opinion.

"It's perfect," he said, smiling at Hermione.

Small confetti hearts of red, pink, and white floated down from the starry ceiling. Streamers of the same colors seemed to be coming from everywhere, and quite a number of doves were flying through the air. A few golden statuettes of Cupid were scattered here and there. There were hundreds of tables, each one set for two with a single candle lighting it.

Behind the staff table was a large pink banner and on it was written "Somewhere In My Heart". Though it looked much like the Great Hall on the Valentine's Day of their second year, somehow Ron didn't mind it this time.

Azar sat at a table with some other boy who had come to the dance alone, not wanting to butt in on Ron and Hermione's date. Dinner was soon over and the band started up, playing softly by candlelight. Ron stood up, holding his hand out for Hermione. She took it and they walked onto the dance floor, soon lost in the music. The boy sitting with Azar asked if she cared to dance, but she said she didn't feel like it at the moment and he went off, leaving her with her thoughts.

Although she was enjoying the dancing immensely, Hermione couldn't help but glance over at Azar every once in a while.

"You know, she's gotten better. Azar, I mean," she commented, "She's pretty much back to her old self."

"M-hm," Ron murmured.

"Do you ever think Harry will come back?"

Ron looked her in the eyes, a little sadly. "Can we forget about that right now? Just for tonight, can we forget everything? Please, Hermione."

She smiled slightly. "Yes, I think I can," she said softly, resting her head on his chest.

Azar watched Ron and Hermione dance for a while with envious eyes. She had been asked by a couple of guys to dance, but she just didn't feel like it. Not with them, anyways. With a little sigh, she headed outside. No purpose in staying in, after all. As she walked out the door, she looked up at the sky. It was unseasonably warm, and the stars seemed to shine brighter because of it.

Her mind wandered to the perplexing events of the day she had come back and found Harry gone. She had just left Ron and Hermione and headed straight for her dormitory, but the next thing she had remembered was being in the owlery, watching an owl fly off. She had had these bouts of memory loss before, and by now she knew what they were, but only once before had she found herself in the owlery. That had been last year, before school had even started, and she figured it was because she didn't know where she was sending it at the time…

She longed more than anything to know where that owl had gone, for she knew whom it was going to. Yet, instead of even attempting to follow it, she had gone down to dinner to meet Ron and Hermione. It all confused her beyond belief. Giving another sigh, Azar sat on one of the benches, looking back at the starry night. She felt so strange. It was as if she knew Harry was all right, that he was happy and not in danger. Yet she missed him so.

Music wafted from the Great Hall, but it did little to cheer her. She had never felt such utter emptiness, not since that day weeks ago when they had come back and found him gone. He was out there, somewhere. When he'd return, she didn't know; if he'd return at all. The thought was enough to bring her to tears.

"Where are you, Harry?" she asked the darkness.

"Right here," a voice answered softly.

She looked up sharply and saw a figure coming from the darkness. As it stepped into the faint window light, there was no mistaking that face; that messy hair, those green eyes, those almost goofy-looking glasses. Harry Potter had returned.

~*~*~

A/N: *grins* I got a little silly with Ron's song, but I just had to put it in! ^-^ Please review!

Oh, and just to let you know, I had an idea while writing this chapter. Right after I kinda jotted it down, I wrote after it. INFINITE POSSIBILITIES!!! There's a few hints in this chapter about it…I just want to know if anyone can guess it. ^-^ I also hinted about something else. (and I have no idea why I'm telling you guys this, but I'm tired so I don't care.)

And thanks to all my wonderful reviewers!!! 153 reviews?! Wow, who'd've thunk it! ^-^

Abbey: Thanks! I should still be writing more soon, 'cause there are a lot of unanswered questions, eh? ^-^

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Katrina Skyfrost: I've had a few teachers sorta like Mr. Martin. (a math teacher who dressed up as a stick of deodorant for Halloween ^-^) And thanks for suggesting Harry asking Snape about Juni, 'cause I wrote a whole scene because of it!

Vmr: Thanks!

***StarliteStarbrite***: Thanks! But how am I supposed to get Harry's butt back into reality when I can't even do that for my own?! ^-^

Lucky Woods: lol ^-^

Raven of Death: Ah, endless possibilities. My favorite. ^-^ Thanks!

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No need to know: …and Harry's not gonna be discreet with the info either. ^-^

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1: I'll take that to mean I'm #1! *cheers* Er…sorry. It's late. ^-^

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Thank you all! I love you guys!

Be excellent to each other!

-Ady