Harry's True Dilemma

Ch. 7: The World of Girl!

A/n: Wahooo! I'm home, finally. I've been in school from 8 till 9:30. Way too much time there. Oh well, thanks for the reviews! I like the responses, they help me think of more twists along the long road to the end. Ok, last night I was possessed by the elusive comma, , , , , I did that too much. Tonight, everything will be choppy. j/k. I think I need more H/H stuff in there, it was sounding more like R/H (aaackk) so I'll fix it. Blah, blah, blah. I get the point

Disclaimer: I've already said it!

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Transfiguration ended, and Harry, Hermione, and Ron had to review the first chapter on size changing for tomorrow. Harry was surprised, as he expected loads more, He nearly skipped out of his chair. They left together and Hermione joined their conversation as they marched to the Defense Against the Dark Arts corridor. As it was their first time with the new teacher, most of the class sat awkwardly still and silent. Everyone in the room was looking at the new teacher; the three grabbed a couple seats somewhere in the middle of the class, and quickly pulled their books from their bags. The Frankenstein-looking wizard was sitting behind his desk looking incredibly hard at what Harry thought was his fingernails. He was definitely freaky looking, but not a moody. 'Crouch'. Harry caught a chill, and Hermione giggled lightly. He quickly glanced at her and blushed then returned his attention to the new professor. The class sat quietly in their seats, staring at the man as he continued to stare at his hands. 'What's his problem?' Harry thought, along with the rest of the class. The awkward silence dragged on for almost fifteen minuets. While Ron was giving Harry an exaggerated look, the professor spoke. Nearly everyone jumped and Neville squeaked.

"So, you've learned several different ways to protect yourself from.. dangerous things?" He spoke softly and in a deep, spooky voice. Nobody answered, was it a question or a statement? "The one thing you haven't learned is unpredictability. Now how in the world can you protect yourself from something you don't even know can happen? Well, you CANT!" The class yelped in reply. Harry did not like this man, not only was he weird, but he was talking crazy. The Professor started again, after what seemed like another five minuet pause that he spent staring at his hands.

"Luckily for you, you don't have to study that confusing mess. Instead, we'll study magical objects. Dark, magical objects, of course. My name is Professor Shiis. I'm new to this country, but not to its magic. So let us open our books to page five." The class stiffly opened their books, and continued to listen.

Everyone ran out of the classroom when the bell rang. Lunchtime finally! After dropping off their books, they made their way to the Great Hall, and sat down in their usual seats.

"Well, you CANT!" shouted Ron as he pretended to be Professor Shiis. Harry and Hermione laughed.

"That guy gave me the strangest feeling." Hermione started as she spooned herself some stew. "Like, he was some creepy peeping tom- the way he stared at his hands."

"Yeah you think he'd lost them." Harry stated, making them chuckle. "I don't like him at all. Just something about crazy people that really bothers me."

"I agree with Harry," Ron said. "He definitely has some screws loose."

"He just bothers me, but he's a Professor, and Dumbledore did higher him." Hermione said as she shifted her shoulders uncomfortably.

They had three more classes after lunch, Harry looked at his schedule.

"Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, and Divination to finish the day. I don't think it could come any sooner." He stared at his friends. Ron nodded in agreement as he swallowed some of his roll. Harry turned to Hermione who was sitting next to Harry, and across from Ron. "So you and him friends again?" He asked so only the two could hear. Ron stopped chewing, his mouth full of bread and looked at Hermione. She looked at Ron, smiled, then laughed,

"Yeah, I'm over it. Really, it was stupid to fight on the first day. That is like a new record, you know?" Ron laughed and choked on his roll. Harry handed him his goblet, and Ron drank down his bread, then said,

"I'm a professional, baby." They laughed loudly and got up. They had to get their books before class started once more.

By the end of the day, Harry was exhausted. He'd moved large planter pots with the rest of the boys from one greenhouse to another. He helped Hagrid move crates of flobberworms from his garden to the front of his hut, after the rest of the class left. He was late to Divination, which as always tiring. As usual, Professor Trelawny predicted Harry's death. This year it will be by "the person who cares most for you."

"What a load of rubbish, why would anyone who cares for you, kill you?" Ron laughed at her blotched prediction all the way down to dinner.

They met Hermione in the Hall, and ate together, laughing about today's experiences. Later, as they finished their homework in the common room, Harry thought of this time back in his first year. Very small and scared, Harry could see himself sitting on the couch by the fire. Then he realized it wasn't himself who was sitting by the fire, but an actual little boy who looked strikingly like Harry.

"Hermione, who's that?" Harry asked as he nodded toward the couch. Hermione looked up from her book.

"I haven't a clue. Wow, he kind of looks like you did in your first year." She smiled, more to herself than anyone else. Ron looked over now.

"Yeah, it does. Weird, huh?"

"Very." Harry agreed. He looked back down at his homework. That was enough, he thought, then looking at Hermione's parchment, he added a few more lines. Ron looked as tired as Harry felt. He yawned rather loudly, and then stood up from his seat. It was almost nine, and most of the students were already in their dorms.

"Well, I'm turning in. See you soon, Harry. G'night Hermione." He quickly left the room. 'Guess he doesn't want to be left alone with Hermione again.' Harry smiled. He turned to her and said.

"I don't think this will be getting any better than it already is, so I'll say goodnight to you. Goodnight Lady Granger." He bowed best he could from his chair and stood up to follow his friend. Harry was almost to the staircase when he heard Hermione call him back.

"Yes m'Lady?" He curtsied. Hermione laughed.

"I was actually wondering how much Ron told you about our fight." She whispered, making Harry step closer and squat down to hear her. He was looking into the deep brown eyes, and answered almost in a hypnotic sort of way,

"Not much, just you two were fighting because he asked you about Krum, and you said you guys stopped going out because you liked someone else." She sighed.

"Krum and I were never 'going out', although he did ask several times. Um, he didn't say who I liked then?"

"No, I didn't think he knew. He doesn't know, does he?" He asked getting closer still, till their faces were less than a foot apart.

She looked down at the ground, sighing again, and Harry had the strange urge to kiss her. 'What is wrong with me! All of the sudden these strange feelings are popping up out of nowhere. Am I sick, I mean it's Hermione, my smart, funny, attract-no, best friend and just that!' Harry looked at the ceiling and around the room; the two girls from earlier that morning looked over at him and Hermione and started to laugh a bit. Harry pulled away from Hermione's seemingly gravitational pull, as she looked back at him.

"He sort of guessed who it was after I said that, and, he guessed right. He does know a lot of people, I'll give him that." She looked away again. 'Ron knows.'

"So who do you like? Maybe I can help." He felt a bit jealous, but ignored it. She laughed a little.

"Never mind, Harry. I can get him myself, if he's willing."

"Well, it's not fair that Ron knows and not me. What about all the secret stuff we talked about on the train??" He sounded a little exasperated, and desperate. Not his cool, collective self. It bugged him that she liked someone he probably didn't know or like, and how it was affecting him in such a way.

"Harry, some things are just ment to be secrets. Especially in the world of girl." Harry gasped and Hermione smiled.

"Hermione, that's just not fair!" He complained as they both stood up.

"Goodnight Harry." She said calmly as they walked together to her staircase.

"Come on, you have to tell me at least before you go to bed!" he grinned a charming little grin.

"Not going to work. Goodnight!" She laughed as she headed up the stairs. 'Damn,' Harry thought, 'why am I suddenly left in the dark?' He headed up his staircase, and entered his room. 'Wait a second, Ron knows!' He looked at his friend, but his hangings were closed. 'Well, I'll ask him tomorrow.' Harry decided as he changed into his pajamas and climbed in his bed. He was too tired to hear the scratching of pen on parchment, and realize Ron was not asleep.