Several uncomfortable and silent seconds later, Hermione emerged from the girl's dorm carrying her homework. She saw Ron, who was as red as a tomato, and Harry's dropped jaw and knew immediately what had occurred. She ran quickly to her class not looking back at her two best friends. Ron, still looking like a tomato, moped out of the common room in the silence. Harry followed at a distance. He didn't care if he was late for Divination class. Why had Hermione said yes? Why was he, their best friend, the last to know? Heart-broken, Harry climbed into the Divination tower just as Ron sat at Harry and his table. Harry sat next to him and gave Ron a reprimanding look. Professor Trewlawny began her lesson in a misty tone, yet neither Ron nor Harry heard a single word of it.
"Why didn't you tell me Ron?" Harry snapped in a whisper.
"I would have before I did it, but I just kinda burst it out this morning on accident! It was horrible Harry! Right in front of every--"
"I don't care to hear the story Ron," Harry scathed, "Don't you understand what this means? Nothing will ever be the same. Ever!" All the anger that had been building up since the beginning of Christmas break was bursting out.
Dean, who was sitting on the other side of Harry, warned Harry, but it was too late. Professor Trewlawny was already in a storm.
"Harry Potter! I asked you which planet is in alignment today and I want an answer now! Talking in class. How disrespectful. Ten points from Gryffindor! Next time I will give you a detention," she rambled on as Harry blushed slightly. Had anyone heard? He must have gotten a little too loud.
Professor Trewlawny gathered the homework assignment and gave Harry and Ron a "Bravo" for their bravery in accepting their fates. For once, neither of them snickered. As they exited Divination, Ron rushed ahead of Harry, and didn't look back. Harry watched him speed ahead and sighed. Colin Creevey caught up with Harry, completely unaware of his grief.
"Hey Harry, were you there when Ron asked Hermione to the ball?" he interrogated.
"Erm--no," Harry replied; the last thing he wanted to do was discuss this.
"It was hilarious. Almost everyone was there. Hermione was just laughing over one of Ginny's jokes and Ron just burst it out, in front of everyone! And then--"
"Yeah, great...er... I gotta go somewhere...see ya." Harry stormed into the Great Hall. He sat by himself in a corner and ate dinner. When he finished, he then walked quickly for the common room, hoping not to meet anyone on the way. In his haste, he didn't see the group of girls exiting the prefect bathroom in front of him and ran into one of them. It was Cho. She had a towel elegantly wrapped around her hair and she wore a lavender bathrobe. Harry felt his cheeks grow hot.
"Oh... sorry Cho," he peeped. He couldn't help but stare longingly at her in the bathrobe.
"Oh that's ok," she replied. She then turned around and followed her friends. As she turned her back on Harry, she unwrapped her hair from the elegant towel wrap and shook her raven black hair out. Harry nearly drooled as he watched her walk away. What was he doing just standing there?
"Hey Cho! Wait!" he called to her and caught up to her. Her elegant hair fell down to her shoulder as she smiled up at Harry.
"Erm...well...will you go to the Valentine's Ball with me?" he peeped again. It came out before he even thought about it. You sound like such an idiot, he thought to himself. What an--
"Of course I will Harry!" she replied. She smiled like an angel at Harry and blushed slightly. Harry grinned from ear to ear. She said yes! She ACTUALLY said yes! He and Cho Chang!
"Well, I better catch up with my friends Harry, I'll be seeing you around," she said sweetly. She looked down to the floor and blushed, Harry wishing her long eyelashes wouldn't sheild her beautiful eyes from him.
"All right. Erm...see ya," He smirked as she walked off to catch up with her friends. He stood frozen as her beautiful figure disappeared around a corner.
Right after Cho walked around the corner, Harry spotted Ron walking around the same corner, right towards Harry.
"What are you doing here Harry, just standing here?" Ron chided.
"Nothing you need to know," Harry was still angry with Ron.
"WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING HERE??!?!" Hermione's voice reprimanded loudly. The two boys turned around saw Hermione standing in the doorway of the prefect girl's bathroom looking quite livid. She wore a pink bathrobe, and her wet hair was tied back in a messy bun. Harry had to admit, it was quite attractive, but he knew that as soon as it began drying, it would frizz up as usual. Harry glanced at Ron, whose jaw was dropped and eyes were misty.
Harry bit his lip to avoid laughter, while he began an explanation, "We were just taking a walk Hermione," it wasn't exactly necessary to lie, but Harry didn't feel like telling his two friends about Cho at the moment.
"Oh, well, I'll be leaving you so you can whisper some more snide comments about me," she snapped.
"We weren't..." Ron began, but was unable to continue, still at a loss for words.
Harry was sick and tired of this, "All right you two! I am so tired of your bickering, so why don't we just settle this! I will accept the fact that you are dating now--"
"We aren't dating Harry," Hermione looked at Harry in disbelieve, "We are only going to the Valentine's Ball as friends. I don't know where you got the idea it was something more," she gave a malicious look at Ron, who was still rather misty-eyed.
"Well, ok," Harry had to admit he felt a little better now, "Well, we have Quidditch practice in 20 minutes, so we better go, Ron. But, I just want to be sure, is everything back to normal?"
"Yes," Hermione and Ron said in unison.
Harry grinned and he and Ron waved goodbye to Hermione and let her "finish" in the prefect's bathroom. Finally, things may be back to normal again! Harry couldn't help but feel better. Ron was back to normal in about five minutes, which was good since he had to practice hard. Ron had taken Oliver Wood's old position of keeper this year and was doing well. Katie Bell, though, had taken the job of captain.
Harry had a really good first practice after Christmas break. In one practice game, he caught the snitch within fifteen minutes of the start. Ron didn't have quite as good a practice, balls kept passing by him; Harry figured he had been quite distracted by Hermione earlier. Harry smirked. He could come to accept his friend's infatuation. Besides, it wasn't bound to last that long, was it?
After about 2 1/2 hours of practice, Katie announced that the game would take place the Saturday following the ball. It was a Slytherin vs. Gryffindor game. Ron and Harry trudged back to the castle, rather exhausted. Ron started talking about a trick Fred and George had played on him that afternoon in a jovial voice. Harry was so happy, for today had started not so good, but ended up great. He had a date, played Quidditch beside his best friend, and things looked to be back to normal.
"Harry! Look!" Ron interrupted Harry thoughts with a note of surprise in his voice. Harry glanced up and felt his heart jump when he saw what was ahead of Ron and him.
A large black dog was racing towards the Forbidden Forest.
"Sirius! Wait!" Ron interjected.
"Sirius! Stop! It's us!" pleaded Harry. But the dog didn't even look back. There was no way he hadn't heard them. There was no mistaking that black dog either. Obviously, Sirius was only obeying Dumbledore and staying away from Harry. Both boys, rather disappointed, knew this was the fact.
"He probably came to watch us practice," Ron stated.
"Yeah, you're probably right..." Harry was too thwarted to talk right now. Ron was nearly as thwarted. They headed back for the common room, where they found Hermione and told her all about it. Then, realizing how late it was, they went to bed.
Two days later, it was time for the Hogsmeade trip. Everyone was in elation as they followed Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout down the path to Hogsmeade. Harry had spent the following evening giving every last detail of the night he saw the Order of Phoenix and every person he saw there to Hermione and Ron.
"Where do you think they are all staying? They couldn't possibly be in Hogwarts! It would be too risky!" Hermione had become kind of obsessed with figuring out where Lupin, Sirius, and the rest of the Order of Phoenix were staying. Ron was still getting over the shock that his parents were involved and he hadn't known.
"How could they not have told me?? I am their child! I have a right to know when they are putting themselves in danger!"
"They couldn't have told you! It is top secret operation! Anyway, they probably didn't want you to be scared for them!" Hermione implored. They didn't talk after that, just followed the rest of the students as they headed for Hogsmeade. It was a dreary dark day, and everyone could feel how anxious the clouds were to dump a heavy storm down on them. When they arrived in Hogsmeade, their spirits raised as they found several enjoyable things to do. Ron and Harry filled their pockets at Zonko's while Hermione admonished them of the consequences of the jokes; the boys ignored her and snickered as they counted their dungbombs. They all filled their pockets at Honeyduke's, and then headed into The Three Broomsticks for a Butterbeer.
As they sat down, Harry saw Ginny walk into the pub, and beckoned for her to come sit with them. Ginny happily joined them.
"I'll go order the butter beers guys," Ron announced.
"So what have you been up to Ginny?" Hermione began.
"Nothing special," Ginny eyes were on Harry, who was slightly scarlet as the brown eyes batted serenely. Harry felt terrible he hadn't asked her to hang out with him for a while. Hermione didn't notice a thing while she went on about her report she was writing in Transfiguration.
"Oh no!" Hermione bellowed, "I forgot! I need more rat livers for my potions set! I'll be right back guys."
"Ok Hermione," Harry chimed in. He was for once happy to see her leave.
"Harry. Long time no see! How are you?" Ginny began.
"Great! How are you?" Harry replied.
"Good. Harry, I was wondering..."
"Harry! I've been looking all over for you!" It was Cho. Harry's heart skipped a beat. She was gorgeous, "I can't wait to go to the ball with you Harry! We need to make plans! Want to go for a walk?"
"I better ask Ron and Hermione when they get back," He remarked, with exhilaration.
"All right, I'll be right over there," Cho smiled and batted her eyelashes, as she walked towards a large group of Ravenclaw 6th years. Had Cho ever been so friendly to Harry? He was delighted. He was practically giggling with delight until he saw Ginny's face. She looked hurt. Had he done something wrong?
"Harry, I got to go..." Ginny whimpered. Harry couldn't say anything before she ran out of the Three Broomsticks into the now heavy rain. Harry looked at the door in grief. He suddenly realized what she was going to say when Cho interuppted. She was going to ask him to the ball. What had he done? Had he made the right choice?
"Here's your butterbeer Harry. What's up?" Ron had finally returned from the long line. Harry quickly hid his grief and replied a "Fine" and listened to Ron prod about how awful Snape had been at their last lesson. Harry couldn't help but drift off and was practically stumbling with fright when Hermione ran to the table, drenched.
"Guys hurry!! Come and see!" she shrieked in a whisper. The boys followed her reluctantly out into the pouring rain, but were rapturous when they saw their reason for coming out.
Disclaimer- The characters, setting, etc. belong to the most talented writer in the world (JK Rowling), yet the plot was developed, with inspiration from the greatest writer in the world, by yours truly ;o)
"Why didn't you tell me Ron?" Harry snapped in a whisper.
"I would have before I did it, but I just kinda burst it out this morning on accident! It was horrible Harry! Right in front of every--"
"I don't care to hear the story Ron," Harry scathed, "Don't you understand what this means? Nothing will ever be the same. Ever!" All the anger that had been building up since the beginning of Christmas break was bursting out.
Dean, who was sitting on the other side of Harry, warned Harry, but it was too late. Professor Trewlawny was already in a storm.
"Harry Potter! I asked you which planet is in alignment today and I want an answer now! Talking in class. How disrespectful. Ten points from Gryffindor! Next time I will give you a detention," she rambled on as Harry blushed slightly. Had anyone heard? He must have gotten a little too loud.
Professor Trewlawny gathered the homework assignment and gave Harry and Ron a "Bravo" for their bravery in accepting their fates. For once, neither of them snickered. As they exited Divination, Ron rushed ahead of Harry, and didn't look back. Harry watched him speed ahead and sighed. Colin Creevey caught up with Harry, completely unaware of his grief.
"Hey Harry, were you there when Ron asked Hermione to the ball?" he interrogated.
"Erm--no," Harry replied; the last thing he wanted to do was discuss this.
"It was hilarious. Almost everyone was there. Hermione was just laughing over one of Ginny's jokes and Ron just burst it out, in front of everyone! And then--"
"Yeah, great...er... I gotta go somewhere...see ya." Harry stormed into the Great Hall. He sat by himself in a corner and ate dinner. When he finished, he then walked quickly for the common room, hoping not to meet anyone on the way. In his haste, he didn't see the group of girls exiting the prefect bathroom in front of him and ran into one of them. It was Cho. She had a towel elegantly wrapped around her hair and she wore a lavender bathrobe. Harry felt his cheeks grow hot.
"Oh... sorry Cho," he peeped. He couldn't help but stare longingly at her in the bathrobe.
"Oh that's ok," she replied. She then turned around and followed her friends. As she turned her back on Harry, she unwrapped her hair from the elegant towel wrap and shook her raven black hair out. Harry nearly drooled as he watched her walk away. What was he doing just standing there?
"Hey Cho! Wait!" he called to her and caught up to her. Her elegant hair fell down to her shoulder as she smiled up at Harry.
"Erm...well...will you go to the Valentine's Ball with me?" he peeped again. It came out before he even thought about it. You sound like such an idiot, he thought to himself. What an--
"Of course I will Harry!" she replied. She smiled like an angel at Harry and blushed slightly. Harry grinned from ear to ear. She said yes! She ACTUALLY said yes! He and Cho Chang!
"Well, I better catch up with my friends Harry, I'll be seeing you around," she said sweetly. She looked down to the floor and blushed, Harry wishing her long eyelashes wouldn't sheild her beautiful eyes from him.
"All right. Erm...see ya," He smirked as she walked off to catch up with her friends. He stood frozen as her beautiful figure disappeared around a corner.
Right after Cho walked around the corner, Harry spotted Ron walking around the same corner, right towards Harry.
"What are you doing here Harry, just standing here?" Ron chided.
"Nothing you need to know," Harry was still angry with Ron.
"WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING HERE??!?!" Hermione's voice reprimanded loudly. The two boys turned around saw Hermione standing in the doorway of the prefect girl's bathroom looking quite livid. She wore a pink bathrobe, and her wet hair was tied back in a messy bun. Harry had to admit, it was quite attractive, but he knew that as soon as it began drying, it would frizz up as usual. Harry glanced at Ron, whose jaw was dropped and eyes were misty.
Harry bit his lip to avoid laughter, while he began an explanation, "We were just taking a walk Hermione," it wasn't exactly necessary to lie, but Harry didn't feel like telling his two friends about Cho at the moment.
"Oh, well, I'll be leaving you so you can whisper some more snide comments about me," she snapped.
"We weren't..." Ron began, but was unable to continue, still at a loss for words.
Harry was sick and tired of this, "All right you two! I am so tired of your bickering, so why don't we just settle this! I will accept the fact that you are dating now--"
"We aren't dating Harry," Hermione looked at Harry in disbelieve, "We are only going to the Valentine's Ball as friends. I don't know where you got the idea it was something more," she gave a malicious look at Ron, who was still rather misty-eyed.
"Well, ok," Harry had to admit he felt a little better now, "Well, we have Quidditch practice in 20 minutes, so we better go, Ron. But, I just want to be sure, is everything back to normal?"
"Yes," Hermione and Ron said in unison.
Harry grinned and he and Ron waved goodbye to Hermione and let her "finish" in the prefect's bathroom. Finally, things may be back to normal again! Harry couldn't help but feel better. Ron was back to normal in about five minutes, which was good since he had to practice hard. Ron had taken Oliver Wood's old position of keeper this year and was doing well. Katie Bell, though, had taken the job of captain.
Harry had a really good first practice after Christmas break. In one practice game, he caught the snitch within fifteen minutes of the start. Ron didn't have quite as good a practice, balls kept passing by him; Harry figured he had been quite distracted by Hermione earlier. Harry smirked. He could come to accept his friend's infatuation. Besides, it wasn't bound to last that long, was it?
After about 2 1/2 hours of practice, Katie announced that the game would take place the Saturday following the ball. It was a Slytherin vs. Gryffindor game. Ron and Harry trudged back to the castle, rather exhausted. Ron started talking about a trick Fred and George had played on him that afternoon in a jovial voice. Harry was so happy, for today had started not so good, but ended up great. He had a date, played Quidditch beside his best friend, and things looked to be back to normal.
"Harry! Look!" Ron interrupted Harry thoughts with a note of surprise in his voice. Harry glanced up and felt his heart jump when he saw what was ahead of Ron and him.
A large black dog was racing towards the Forbidden Forest.
"Sirius! Wait!" Ron interjected.
"Sirius! Stop! It's us!" pleaded Harry. But the dog didn't even look back. There was no way he hadn't heard them. There was no mistaking that black dog either. Obviously, Sirius was only obeying Dumbledore and staying away from Harry. Both boys, rather disappointed, knew this was the fact.
"He probably came to watch us practice," Ron stated.
"Yeah, you're probably right..." Harry was too thwarted to talk right now. Ron was nearly as thwarted. They headed back for the common room, where they found Hermione and told her all about it. Then, realizing how late it was, they went to bed.
Two days later, it was time for the Hogsmeade trip. Everyone was in elation as they followed Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout down the path to Hogsmeade. Harry had spent the following evening giving every last detail of the night he saw the Order of Phoenix and every person he saw there to Hermione and Ron.
"Where do you think they are all staying? They couldn't possibly be in Hogwarts! It would be too risky!" Hermione had become kind of obsessed with figuring out where Lupin, Sirius, and the rest of the Order of Phoenix were staying. Ron was still getting over the shock that his parents were involved and he hadn't known.
"How could they not have told me?? I am their child! I have a right to know when they are putting themselves in danger!"
"They couldn't have told you! It is top secret operation! Anyway, they probably didn't want you to be scared for them!" Hermione implored. They didn't talk after that, just followed the rest of the students as they headed for Hogsmeade. It was a dreary dark day, and everyone could feel how anxious the clouds were to dump a heavy storm down on them. When they arrived in Hogsmeade, their spirits raised as they found several enjoyable things to do. Ron and Harry filled their pockets at Zonko's while Hermione admonished them of the consequences of the jokes; the boys ignored her and snickered as they counted their dungbombs. They all filled their pockets at Honeyduke's, and then headed into The Three Broomsticks for a Butterbeer.
As they sat down, Harry saw Ginny walk into the pub, and beckoned for her to come sit with them. Ginny happily joined them.
"I'll go order the butter beers guys," Ron announced.
"So what have you been up to Ginny?" Hermione began.
"Nothing special," Ginny eyes were on Harry, who was slightly scarlet as the brown eyes batted serenely. Harry felt terrible he hadn't asked her to hang out with him for a while. Hermione didn't notice a thing while she went on about her report she was writing in Transfiguration.
"Oh no!" Hermione bellowed, "I forgot! I need more rat livers for my potions set! I'll be right back guys."
"Ok Hermione," Harry chimed in. He was for once happy to see her leave.
"Harry. Long time no see! How are you?" Ginny began.
"Great! How are you?" Harry replied.
"Good. Harry, I was wondering..."
"Harry! I've been looking all over for you!" It was Cho. Harry's heart skipped a beat. She was gorgeous, "I can't wait to go to the ball with you Harry! We need to make plans! Want to go for a walk?"
"I better ask Ron and Hermione when they get back," He remarked, with exhilaration.
"All right, I'll be right over there," Cho smiled and batted her eyelashes, as she walked towards a large group of Ravenclaw 6th years. Had Cho ever been so friendly to Harry? He was delighted. He was practically giggling with delight until he saw Ginny's face. She looked hurt. Had he done something wrong?
"Harry, I got to go..." Ginny whimpered. Harry couldn't say anything before she ran out of the Three Broomsticks into the now heavy rain. Harry looked at the door in grief. He suddenly realized what she was going to say when Cho interuppted. She was going to ask him to the ball. What had he done? Had he made the right choice?
"Here's your butterbeer Harry. What's up?" Ron had finally returned from the long line. Harry quickly hid his grief and replied a "Fine" and listened to Ron prod about how awful Snape had been at their last lesson. Harry couldn't help but drift off and was practically stumbling with fright when Hermione ran to the table, drenched.
"Guys hurry!! Come and see!" she shrieked in a whisper. The boys followed her reluctantly out into the pouring rain, but were rapturous when they saw their reason for coming out.
Disclaimer- The characters, setting, etc. belong to the most talented writer in the world (JK Rowling), yet the plot was developed, with inspiration from the greatest writer in the world, by yours truly ;o)
