Chapter 5 - Harry's Plan
Harry woke up Ron early the next morning, fully determined to take his plan into action. Ron, not too pleased in being woken up too early, still was excited to hear Harry's so called plan.
"So what is it Harry? How are you attempting to stay out of Hermione's life?" asked Ron.
"Well here's what I've done," said Harry, sitting himself on his bed. Ron did the same. "I've talked privately with Professor Dumbledore last night and told him that there is a promise I have to keep and that the promise is to stay out of Hermione's life. Even though Dumbledore looked slightly unhappy about it, he agreed to go along with my plan."
"Which is?" asked Ron.
"Well," said Harry, "for classes, I've rescheduled all of them."
"You what!?" exclaimed Ron.
"I rescheduled them," repeated Harry. "Today I start with what's usually my last class first and all my classes have been pushed one back. So basically, I rotated it one time. And to throw everything off, it will change again every so often in no specific pattern."
Ron stared at Harry in amazement. He couldn't believe what he just heard.
"As for daily meals and feasts, I simply won't attend. I've asked Dumbledore to bring me food in the dormitories. -I don't care if my feasts consists of sandwiches and juice!" Harry added after seeing the bewildered look on Ron's face.
"This is crazy Harry! Just…mad! I think that this is getting too out of hand."
Harry stared at Ron with narrowed eyes and didn't say anything. Ron got the point.
"So what am I here for?" asked Ron, looking slightly afraid.
"Well I can't avoid Hermione in the halls can I?" replied Harry. "Ron, you and Lavender have to be my…well… sort of look out people."
"A what!?" shouted Ron.
"Lookout people. If you see Hermione around or if she's going to pass me in Halls, do whatever it takes to make her NOT see me." stated Harry. "You and Lavender have the most important job of all. If you two mess up, my plan is ruined."
"Well ok Harry," said Ron nervously, now that the pressure was on him. "Is there anything else?"
"Yes," Harry added. "Professor Flitwick has helped me in this one and created a Truth Charm. I need you to fill everyone in. Everyone that you think that Hermione will talk to. I have a gut feeling that she may ask people where I am sooner or later. Tell them that I no longer exist to Hermione and give no explanation why. The Truth Charm will have an effect on someone so powerful, they won't be able to tell the truth to Hermione ONLY on this one specific thing. Cast the spell on anyone you tell. If they are asked by Hermione where I am, they will simply say "I don't know where he is." Don't worry about the teachers, they know as well what's going on and know how to handle it. I don't expect to cast the spell on you , because I trust you. But I want you to cast it on Lavender - sorry Ron."
"It's ok," said Ron, taking in and understanding what he heard. "I understand. But…I hate to say this…Wicked! Wicked plan Harry. I'm not really sure if it'll work…"
"It will," Harry said as if it was a sure thing. "It will."
Ron shook his head. He couldn't believe that Harry was actually going to go on with his plan. All of this precision and planning just to keep out of sight from Hermione. It looked very foolish, but all made sense and worked out. Harry handed Ron a wand.
"Here," he said, "it's the special wand Professor Flitwick gave me. That wand only has the power to cast the spell. Annunciate, 'Truthius Minndo.' Keep it."
"Keep what?"
"The wand," Harry said. "It's yours. Think of it as an early Christmas gift."
Ron grinned.
Both Harry and Ron got dressed for the day very slowly because they were both very tired still. After a good luck from Harry, Ron went downstairs to breakfast now fully determined to make Harry's plan work while Harry stayed in the dormitories, just like his plan.