Chapter 6 - Day 1

Before going down to have breakfast, Ron cast the Truth Spell on a significant amount of people, just to be safe. He made sure, however, that he got to every Gryffindor student. And what a job he had to do. He had to cast a spell on almost everyone in Hogwarts without making a huge scene. He even went out of his way to cast the spell on Malfoy. He did make sure that he got his girlfriend, Lavender and especially his sister Ginny, who probably told Hermione everything.

After what seemed to be like hours, he willingly made his way to the Great Hall to have breakfast. Not to his surprise, Hermione was already there, reading a book.

"Hi Ron," she said as he sat down across from her.

"Hey Hermione," Ron said in his usual tone.

"Where's Harry?" she asked looking around.

"Well he was up at the dormitories," said Ron, "but I haven't seen him since."

"Oh," said Hermione, "well, will he be down here?" Ron couldn't answer. At that point Lavender came and sat herself next to Ron.

"Hi Hermione," she said after giving Ron a kiss.

"Hi Lavender," she said.

"Hey Hermione," Lavender said in a bright tone, "Harry isn't sick anymore. I think he will be attending classes today."

"Have you seen him?" asked Hermione.

"Not today, no," she answered. Hermione sighed looking disappointed.

"Why so anxious to see Harry?" asked Ron coolly. "You think that Harry's not going to live up to his promise do you?"

"You think that that's what this is all about?" Hermione snapped at Ron. "Me making sure that Harry breaks a promise!? Honestly! I really want to see him!"

"Whatever Hermione," said Ron

"It's not like he CAN stay out of my life right?" said Hermione hotly to Ron. Ron's only reaction was a shrug. Hermione crossed her arms and snorted at Ron.

"Don't worry about Harry, Hermione," said Lavender. "I'm sure everything is going to be fine."

"Thanks Lav," said Hermione smiling.

The three of them waited and waited for Harry to come, but he didn't show up. Ron raised his eyebrows to himself. Harry was actually doing it.

"Why isn't Harry here yet," said Hermione impatiently. "Class will be starting soon and he hasn't even had breakfast." Ron had to give a great deal of effort not to smile. He knew that Harry was in the dormitories probably munching on slices of toast.

***

Ron, Hermione, and Lavender walked to their first class, which was Transfiguration. Lavender left Ron and Hermione alone and went to sit with Parvati Patil in front of the class. Ron and Hermione sat together next to an empty chair, which usually had Harry in it. Hermione looked at the chair, then at the door, expecting Harry to come in at any moment.

"Ok," said Professor McGonagall, "looks like everyone is here…" Hermione looked surprised. Surely McGonagall had seen that Harry's chair was empty. "…no wait a minute…" Hermione's eyes lit up. "…I've just remembered, Mr. Longbottom is in the hospital wing. Now class before we begin today I…"

Just then, Hermione's hand sprung up.

"Ah, yes Ms. Granger?" Professor McGonagall said.

"What about Harry?" she asked. Everyone in class looked at Hermione, suddenly anxious that she was concerned for Harry. Hermione looked very nervous with all the eyes on her, but nonetheless continued. Ron didn't even try to stop her.

"What about Mr. Potter?"

"He isn't here," Hermione stated.

"I know he isn't Ms. Granger," McGonagall simply put.

"Aren't you going to mark him absent Professor?"

"I have no need to Ms. Granger. What's the meaning of this?" said McGonagall.

"Why not Professor?" asked Hermione. "I mean, is he still sick?"

"No, I can assure you Ms. Granger, that Mr. Potter is not sick."

"Then why -"

"That's enough Ms. Granger," said McGonagall in a final sort of way. "You are disrupting my class and I will not tolerate it. There will be no more of this. Do I make myself clear?"

Hermione nodded and said no more.

"Wow," Ron said to himself, "Harry wasn't kidding. He really meant this one! I just don't believe this. He just amazes me sometimes."

***

After Transfiguration class, Hermione went on and about to ask as many students as possible why Harry hadn't shown up to class. They gave her all sorts of answers but in the end, all of them said that they haven't seen him or where he was. And to Hermione's surprise, none of them seemed a bit concerned.

"What on Earth is going on Ron?" asked Hermione, on the breach of crying. "Where is Harry?"

"I have no idea," he answered truthfully. And he was telling the truth. He really didn't know where Harry was. All he knew was that he was attending classes somewhere. Hermione walked over to another group of girls when Ron felt a tap on his shoulder. He wheeled around. It was Harry.

"Hi Ron," he said as though he hadn't a clue that he was now supposedly out of Hermione's life.

"Harry!" said Ron, but soft enough that no one could hear. In fact, no one seemed to notice that Harry was around. "Hermione's right there! You better get a move on!"

"I will," said Harry calmly. "I just need to check. How is my plan going? Is it working?"

"Sure is," said Ron. "I'm still in shock of it. Hermione was asking why to McGonagall that she didn't mark you absent and McGonagall said that there was no reason to. And when Hermione tried to talk, McGonagall told her to stop interrupting her class. You've got the teachers in on this too right?"

Harry nodded but he wasn't looking at Ron. He was looking at the back of Hermione.

"It's only been one class, and I miss her already," Harry said with a sigh.

"And I know she misses you too, Harry," said Ron. "Why else would she ask where you were when you hadn't shown up to class?" Harry shook his head.

"It's only because she wants me to break my promise," said Harry.

"No Harry!" said Ron. "Enough of this already! Just call it off! She seems very sad."

"No Ron," said Harry. "She'll be happier without me. I know it. But anyway, I need to go before Hermione sees me." And as quickly as Harry had come, he was gone. Soon after Harry's departure, Hermione walked back to Ron.

"None of the girls have seen him. What's going on Ron?"

Ron shook his head. "I have no idea Hermione. I just know that it's going to be a long day."

And Ron lived by his words. It was a long and hard day indeed. He spent more time watching out for Harry more than concentrating in class (not like he ever did). They had one extremely close call when Ron saw Harry coming down the corridor toward him, Hermione, and Lavender. Ron reacted by grabbing Hermione, who dropped her books in alarm, and making her look at a suit of armor, insisting that it had said something to him. Ron gave a signal to Lavender and she quietly led Harry behind them and out of sight. After a few shouting words from Hermione that Ron was crazy and blabbing nonsense about a suit of armor talking, she picked up her books.

"Where's Lavender?" she asked, still cross at Ron.

"I…I…well…she…" stammered Ron.

"Right here!" she shouted, coming around the corner.

"Where did you go?" asked Hermione.

"A friend called me," she quickly said.

Hermione narrowed her eyebrows and walked off to class with Ron a Lavender following. They both wiped their foreheads and gave a sigh of relief from behind Hermione's back.